La Liga president Javier Tebas has confirmed Barcelona are approaching a financial position which will allow them to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.
Williams, whose contract includes a €58m release clause, impressed last season in La Liga and has dazzled for Spain at Euro 2024, attracting interest from a number of sides across Europe.
Barcelona are reported to see Williams as their top attacking target for the summer transfer window and club president Joan Laporta has openly discussed the team’s interest in getting a deal done this summer.
While the club’s well-known financial issues make any deals of this magnitude complicated for Barcelona, Tebas insisted the Catalan giants are close to being able to pull off a move for Williams.
“If they reach the 1:1 norm, they will be able to do so,” Tebas told SPORT. “You have to think that with Barcelona’s effort to reduce their wage bill by more than €200m and other measures that have already taken place within the club and that have nothing to do with the levers, they can perfectly bring in a player like Nico Williams.
“I think he has a release clause of €58m. When you buy for €58m, the amortisation is divided by the years of the contract; If you sign him for three years it would be less than €20m per year, plus what you pay the player. Barça will be able to reach those amounts, it’s perfectly acceptable if they are within the 1:1 norm. It is a club that is close to €1,000m in turnover, it can be in that line.
“It must be remembered that the 1:1 scenario has to be fulfilled. Today Barca doesn’t have it, but they are as close as they have ever been to having it. If they achieve it, they can sign Nico Williams or another player with those finances.”
Chelsea are also keen admirers of Williams but 90min understands the Blues have concerns over his salary, which is already too high to fit in their current wage structure.
As a result, Chelsea have backed away from a deal and would only reignite their interest in the Athletic Club winger if Williams lowers his demands – something which may be necessary to seal a move to Barcelona as well. Reports suggest an agreement over personal terms has already been reached between Barca and Williams.
Barcelona’s work to cut costs has seen them close the financial gap to Champions League winners Real Madrid, and Tebas is keen to see the two heavyweights on level terms once again.
“Real Madrid has had a salary policy in line with its income structure, even lower,” he said. “Now Barcelona is adjusting its own and is therefore getting closer. We will see if it can achieve this. It would be good for Barcelona and for La Liga.”
