The president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, has indicated that Barcelona is on the brink of being able to afford the signing of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. Despite Williams having a €58 million ($63.2m) release clause in his contract, Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta recently stated that the Catalan club has the financial means to secure the signing of the Spanish international. While Barça is currently exceeding their LaLiga-imposed annual spending limit, Tebas has expressed optimism about their improving financial situation.
Tebas explained that if Barcelona were to return to a 1:1 spending limit, whereby they would be permitted to invest any funds raised from transfers or savings on wages, they would be in a position to pursue a deal for Williams. Emphasizing Barcelona’s efforts to reduce their wage bill by over €200 million ($218m) and other internal measures aimed at enhancing their financial standing, Tebas believes that the club could realistically bring in a player of Williams’ caliber. With his release clause set at €58 million, Tebas suggested that the amortization of this fee over the duration of the player’s contract, along with additional player salary costs, would be manageable for Barcelona.
Acknowledging Barcelona’s staggering annual turnover of nearly €1 billion, Tebas highlighted the club’s ability to afford signings in the range of players like Nico Williams. However, he stressed that Barcelona must first adhere to the 1:1 spending rule before proceeding with such deals. While Barcelona is not yet in compliance with this financial regulation, Tebas remains positive about their proximity to meeting the criteria and potentially securing a player like Williams or another player with similar attributes.
Williams, who has turned 22 years old recently, has been a standout performer for Athletic Club and has caught the attention of many during Euro 2024. Despite being a target for Barcelona, Williams has remained focused on his current commitments and has refrained from engaging in speculation about his future. In light of the media attention surrounding his potential transfer, Athletic Club’s president, Jon Uriarte, has expressed displeasure with the situation and defended the player. Uriarte underscored Athletic Club’s readiness to match Williams’ ambitions both in terms of sporting achievements and financial rewards, highlighting the club’s commitment to their talented winger.
As the saga surrounding Nico Williams’ potential move to Barcelona unfolds, the financial aspects of the deal remain a focal point. While Barcelona is making strides towards improving their financial situation to accommodate such signings, the player himself remains grounded and focused on his current endeavors. The dynamics between the player’s desires, the club’s objectives, and the financial feasibility of the transfer will likely shape the outcome of this high-profile move in the coming weeks.
Leave a Reply