Barcelona president delivers good news on club’s pursuit of €58m-rated winger

Speaking in an interview on Catalunya Radio, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that the club are in a position to afford the signing of a player like top transfer target Nico Williams this summer.

Kicking things off, the Barça head confirmed that there will be good news on the Financial Fair Play front soon enough, saying:

“There will be good news on a sporting level, we will announce things soon.”

“Soon we will be able to announce the operations we have worked on. Soon we will return to the normality of Fair Play.”

Moving to the matter of Nico Williams, Laporta insisted that the Spaniard is a player that he likes a lot and Deco is the responsible for making the signings that new manager Hansi Flick has requested.

“Obviously I like him, and I like him a lot. But here we have to let those who have the responsibility work, and Deco is working to make the additions that have been discussed with Flick, and I hope to have good news,” he said.

Barcelona can afford Nico’s signing, Laporta confirms. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

When asked if the club have the financial capability to sign a player like Nico, who has a €58 million release clause in his Athletic Club contract, Laporta replied in the affirmative, saying:

“Today, yes we can afford to sign Nico Williams. It is the result of the work that has been done over the years to get to this point, we could afford a signing of this level.”

Laporta also confirmed that Barcelona intend to hold Flick’s presentation before the team flies out to the USA for the pre-season tour, as he said:

“Before we go to the United States, we plan to have a presentation for Hansi Flick. We have to think that he is landing. Today he is at Ciutat Esportiva with Deco and those who are recovering and the presentation is planned before we go to the United States.”

The Barcelona president also lamented the injuries that Pedri and Ronald Araujo suffered even before the season has started, saying:

“The truth is that it is not nice that we have to start the season with Pedri injured. If I understand correctly, it’s the internal lateral ligament and it’s grade two, so it’s four or five weeks.

“I feel very bad because Pedri is a key player for us, but I am sure that with the recovery and physical trainers he will get better. And the issue with Araujo is the hamstring, I don’t know how long it will take but we have to be strong and face it with a very competitive squad”.