FC Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has raised a significant concern regarding the potential signing of Nico Williams.
FC Barcelona is ramping up its pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, with the 22-year-old now firmly back on the club’s radar as a top target for Hansi Flick’s attack for the 2025–26 season.
Williams’ speedy service, dribbling, and close bond with some of Spain’s national team stars make him an attractive fit for the Blaugrana, and sources are saying he wants to come and could even take less money.
Factors include Barcelona’s concerning financial situation and regulations through La Liga.
After recent negotiations with Williams’ agent, Felix Tainta, there seems to be some movement, but a huge roadblock might be on the horizon from within the club’s board, which could jeopardize potential business and how FC Barcelona approaches future transfer strategies.
According to the journalist Santi Ovalle, president Joan Laporta has been troubled about the relationship between Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Laporta is concerned that their friendship will worsen existing “cliques”, and thus prefers a team that has no clear friendships and who are united and professional.
He referenced the past when the “club de amigos” split the team in two and built resentment.
While Williams wants to come, with the support of Flick, this worry can complicate his potential transfer and their business simply because the focus will now shift onto the locker room dynamics architected by Williams.
Bayern Munich’s interest adds to the pressure on Barcelona to clarify these internal doubts quickly.
Williams’ €62 million release clause is an economic factor that would require Barcelona to offload players to make the deal possible.
His relationships with his now teammates like Yamal, Pedri, and Gavi only reinforce his allure to Barcelona, but Laporta’s concerns illustrate the tension between sporting ambition and team dynamics.
As they negotiate, Barcelona will have to assess whether the risk of factions forming outweighs Williams’ ability to boost their attack.
In the weeks ahead, we will see if Laporta’s hesitations derail the agreement or if Barcelona will be able to land their most coveted transfer.
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