Barcelona appear to have switched their attentions from Nico Williams to Dani Olmo this summer, yet none of the Blaugrana sources that inform the local media are willing to rule out the deal definitively.
Part of the reason is that despite consistent reporting that Williams will take the decision to stay in Bilbao this coming year, he has not informed either side of his decision in a formal sense. Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde reaffirmed on Friday morning that he was just as relaxed about Williams’ future as he was a couple of weeks ago.
“I am as calm as I was before. The market will close on the 31st of August and there is still a month left. I’m not just referring to Nico, but we can also improve our team. We will see what happens because every day something new appears in the press, but we must not let these things affect us,” Valverde told Sport.
Meanwhile MD assure that Barcelona President Joan Laporta continues to be keen on recruiting Williams now, but if he does decide to stay at Athletic this summer, he will not close the door on a move next summer. The one thing that would rule out any move while Laporta is calling the shots is if he signs another new deal with Athletic, and increases his release clause to €100m, with the Basque side willing to offer him a wage rise.
It had been reported, as his doubts about a move emerged, that Sporting Director Deco had told Williams that it was now or never for a move to crank up the pressure. Certainly if Barcelona do sign Olmo instead this summer, fitting the likes of Williams, Olmo, Pedri and Lamine Yamal into the same side would be a tricky enough task.
Kunaelstu
274
Barca will sign Nico this summer, I have said it before and I am saying it again, Laporta and Barcelona wants to calm the rumor because is getting hell too much. But let's watch till end of the transfer.
vewalmprty
117
When Madrid was chasing Mbape, a world cup winner n a player who has proved himself to be great for more than 5yrs n arguably current best player in world, Barca dogs were like Madrid is obsessed with Mbape. Now see how Barca can't sleep over a player who just shone in one season 🤣🤣🤣