Barça closes in on Nico Williams. The blaugrana club intends to finalize his signing next week, aiming directly at paying his release clause, which amounts to €58 million.
The deal is advanced and Barça has everything ready to pay the clause as soon as the financial conditions are met. The intention is for the official announcement to come right after the payment, thus sealing the signing of one of the most desired players in the market.
Positive financial year
Barça's financial management has planned this deal for the first days of July, coinciding with the start of the new financial year. This detail is key, since it allows the €58 million clause ($62.8 million) not to be counted in the accounting year, which makes it easier to comply with La Liga's limits.
With this move, Barça hopes to close the current financial year in good shape, with a 1:1 in the economic control rules. That would allow it to operate with greater flexibility in this summer market and address other possible signings.
Laporta, excited about Nico
Joan Laporta is excited about the possible signing of Nico Williams, a deal that, until a few days ago, wasn't even in its plans. The reality is that the club had Luis Díaz, the Colombian forward from Liverpool, as its priority. However, the insistence of Nico's camp, led by his agent, and the player's own willingness to wear the blaugrana jersey, were decisive.
The shift was as clear as it was unexpected. Laporta was convinced by his explicit desire to come to Camp Nou. That proactive attitude, together with the financial viability of the deal under the new accounting scenario, definitely tipped the balance.
Luis Díaz, out of the plan
The direct consequence is the total cooling of interest in Luis Díaz. The Colombian was very eager to come to Barça and his camp had already made clear its willingness to negotiate. However, the opportunity to sign Nico Williams, due to his age, sporting profile, and conditions, has ultimately relegated that option.
This way, Luis Díaz seems to miss out on his longed-for train to Barcelona, at least for now. Thus, the immediate future of the Colombian winger moves away from Barça.