Statements made by Barcelona President Joan Laporta regarding the potential signing of Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams have caused a crisis within the Catalan club.
Following his impressive performances with the Spanish national team in Euro 2024, Nico Williams has been linked with several major European clubs, including Barcelona. Laporta expressed his "admiration for Williams' abilities," fueling rumors about Barça's interest in signing him. He also emphasized that the club is financially capable of completing the deal.
According to the Spanish website "Relevo," Laporta's comments have angered several Barcelona players who have been affected by the club's ongoing financial crisis, notably Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araújo, who were told that the club could not meet their financial demands due to the crisis. Additionally, Iñigo Martínez and Vitor Roque have not been registered for the upcoming season due to the ongoing salary cap issues.
Barcelona players believe that the club cannot prioritize signing Williams while simultaneously citing a lack of financial resources in other instances.