With Nico Williams's signing well on track, Barcelona isn't stopping its sports planning machinery. The club's sports management has regained the 1:1 margin to operate in the market, which means it can invest the same amount it manages to bring in through transfers. For this reason, the strategy now involves finalizing several major departures to free up the wage bill and generate immediate liquidity.
Candidates to leave the club include names like Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, and Ansu Fati. The sum of their sales could reach €90 million, a figure that would allow for two strategic signings. One is already known, Nico Williams, and the other has gained momentum in recent weeks and is aimed directly at the heart of the defense amid a renewal.
A profile followed by Barça
According to the latest information that has emerged in the Barça environment, Barça has set its sights on Kevin Lomónaco, a 23-year-old Argentine center-back who currently plays for Independiente. His physical strength, youth, and ability to adapt to different systems make him an attractive profile for Hansi Flick. It's no wonder: with imminent departures in the defensive line, the German coach is looking to reinforce with emerging talent.
The defender's signing could be around €20 million ($21.8 million) and would be another addition alongside Nico Williams and Joan García, provided it can be finalized. The club values that his arrival wouldn't require a major investment compared to other names on the market, and it is considered a bet for both the present and the future. In addition, the player's desire to make the leap to Europe and wear Barça's jersey works in his favor.
Nico gets closer to Camp Nou
Meanwhile, Nico Williams's signing is getting closer to becoming official.The Athletic Club winger has reached an agreement with Barça and has accepted a significant pay cut to facilitate his registration. The €60 million ($65.4 million) release clause is manageable if the club manages to close a significant sale in the coming days.
His signing is considered the major attacking move of the summer. His connection with Lamine Yamal and his vertical profile make him a key piece for Flick's system. The club trusts that Nico's arrival will mark a turning point in the project, but they don't want to stop there.