In a surprising move, Barcelona made a decisive call regarding one of the players who had been strongly tipped to bolster their attacking line next season. Despite his talent, speed, and ability to make a difference, the player faced firm rejection from the club’s management and the new coaching staff, ending any possibility of him joining Camp Nou.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Barcelona appears to have decided against pursuing the signing of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams for several reasons that have combined to make the deal unpopular within the Camp Nou.
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Among these reasons is the young player’s concerning medical history. He suffered seven injuries last season, which caused him to miss a significant number of matches. These repeated absences have clearly impacted his technical performance, as he has been unable to play at his best, raising doubts about his long-term fitness.
Another equally important reason is the unresolved issue from last summer, when the player rejected Barcelona’s offer at the last minute despite a preliminary agreement. This rejection still lingers with Joan Laporta and Deco, making the idea of resuming negotiations with him unwelcome.
For his part, coach Hansi Flick has shown little enthusiasm for signing Williams, believing there are other options more suited to his tactical vision, such as Rafael Leão or Luis Díaz, even though their signing would come at a significantly higher cost.
In addition to these factors, there is an important internal consideration related to dressing room balance. Flick does not want to destabilize the team, particularly on the right wing, which is currently occupied by Brazilian Raphinha. Despite a slight dip in performance toward the end of the season due to fatigue, Raphinha had an outstanding campaign and has even been nominated for the Ballon d’Or—a remarkable turnaround considering his future was in doubt just a year ago.
Raphinha, for his part, has made it clear on multiple occasions that he opposes the idea of signing Nico Williams, aware that the player would not accept a role on the bench and would likely seek a leadership position, potentially creating unwanted competition. In light of this delicate situation, Flick requested that the board abandon the deal entirely, emphasizing his continued confidence in Raphinha, who has become an indispensable part of Barcelona’s new project.
