By Sean Walsh
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is adamant the club is in a strong enough financial position to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club, despite reports claiming to the contrary.
Williams is coming off the back of a fine 2023/24 season at club level, and has carried this form into Spain's remarkable Euro 2024 campaign thus far, playing a starring role in their run to the semi-finals.
The Catalan media have played up a potential move to Barca this summer, while Spain teammate Lamine Yamal has even spoken of the possibility of playing alongside Williams in La Liga.
Barcelona's financial issues have been well-documented for several years now, and it has been claimed they would have to sell one of their key players in order to make a significant incoming this summer.
However, Laporta has told Catalunya Radio that Barcelona would be able to afford Williams, who has a €50m release clause, should they push ahead with a move.
When asked if there was money available to bring in the tricky winger, Laporta replied: "As of today, yes. It is the result of a work that has been done these years to get to this point, we could face a signing of this level.
"It has been three very intense years, with many things to do, but we have worked very well and we are happy with the work because the club's finances are recovering and we will soon have good news in this regard.
"We are working to confirm the club's economic recovery and there are a series of operations that we have worked on and that we will soon be able to announce. It is very comforting to be able to finish this process that has taken us three years and I hope that we return to normality."
Williams is not the only Spain international on Barcelona's radar. 90min understands they are in talks with RB Leipzig over a potential €60m move for Dani Olmo.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Barcelona president reveals major update in pursuit of Nico Williams.
