Barcelona’s Sporting Director, Deco, has shed light on why the club chose not to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams during the recent transfer window, despite the young star being one of the most coveted attackers.
Williams, who boasts Ghanaian roots, attracted interest from top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, following a standout season.
The winger featured in 31 La Liga matches, netting 5 goals and providing 11 assists, while also playing a pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.
Despite his rising profile, Deco revealed that Barcelona decided against pursuing Williams, citing the club’s already strong lineup of attacking players as the primary reason.
“We didn’t sign Nico Williams as we have Raphinha, Ferran, Ansu, Lamine, plus Fermin and Olmo to help there,” he said.
Sporting Director Deco further highlighted that Dani Olmo’s versatility lessened the need for Barcelona to sign another winger. “Dani Olmo offers us more flexibility, making it unnecessary to bring in another wide player,” he explained.
Although Williams was on Barcelona’s radar, the talented winger ultimately stayed with Athletic Bilbao, where he is under contract until 2027.
His release clause, reportedly around €63 million (£53 million), may have also influenced Barcelona’s decision to hold back from making a move for the 22-year-old.