LaLiga president gives Barcelona green light to sign Nico Williams

Tom Weber

Updated: 12 Jul 2024 15:43 BST
4 min read

Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Barcelona — © IMAGO

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has revealed that Barcelona are very close to being able to sign Nico Williams.

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The Blaugrana appear to be the last club standing in the transfer saga surrounding the Spain superstar. Williams has been one of the breakout performers of Euro 2024 and, after a decent domestic season, this has seen the youngster bombarded with transfer speculation.

The 22-year-old had been linked to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, but both clubs refrained from firming up their interest due to concerns over his price. While his €58 million release clause is relatively affordable, Williams is already on a sizeable wage at Athletic Club and this means that the whole package required to sign him would be very pricey indeed.

This has left Barcelona seemingly in pole position to sign the scintillating winger, with president Joan Laporta recently claiming that the club could afford him. This prompted a strong response from Athletic Club, but now even LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has chimed in.

Barcelona get Williams green light

Speaking to Sport, Tebas revealed that Barcelona are indeed very close to being in a financial position that would enable them to sign Williams. The Catalans, according to Tebas, are on the verge of attaining the so-called '1:1 standard,' that is, being able to spend every cent they bring in rather than operating at a 1:4 ratio as before.

"I was heavily criticised by Barcelona when I said that the club would have a hard time reaching that goal and being able to sign players. Now I say that it is the moment in which they are closest to reaching 1:1."

"With the reduction in wages and club structure, and with some more movements, the chances of reaching that 1:1 and therefore having more freedom of action are much higher."

"If they reach the 1:1 norm, they will be able to [sign Williams]. You have to think that with Barcelona's effort to reduce their wage bill by more than 200 million and with other measures that have already taken place within the club and that have nothing to do with the levers, they can absolutely bring in a player like Nico Williams."

"I think he has a 58 million release clause: when you buy for 58 million, the amortisation is divided by the years of the contract; if you sign him for three, it would be less than 20 million per year, plus what you pay the player."

"Barca will be able to reach those amounts, perfectly acceptable if they are within the 1:1 norm. It is a club that is close to 1 billion in turnover, it can be in that [1:1] line."

Read more about: La Liga, Athletic, Barcelona, Nico Williams