Barcelona can afford to sign Nico Williams, says Joan Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has declared that his club can afford to sign top transfer target Nico Williams from Athletic Club this summer.

Laporta has given a new interview to Catalunya Radio where he has been bullish about the club’s finances and their ability to strengthen the squad before the start of the new season.

Williams has emerged as a big target but there have been doubts about whether Barcelona can afford to activate his release clause – something Laporta says is possible.

“Obviously I like him, a lot. But here we have to let those who have the responsibility work, and Deco is working to make the signings that he and Flick have discussed, and I hope to have good news,” he said.

“Today we can afford to sign Nico Williams. We can afford a signing like Nico’s. It is the result of the work that has been done over the years to get to this point, we could afford a signing of this level.”

Laporta also spoke about how the hard work the club has put in on the financial front is about to pay off, promising good news for fans soon.

“It has been three very intense years, with many things to do, but we have worked very well and we are happy with the work because the club’s finances are recovering and we will soon have good news in this regard,” he added.

“We are working to confirm the club’s economic recovery and there are a series of operations that we have worked on and that we will soon be able to announce. It is very comforting to be able to finish this process that has taken us three years and I hope that we return to normality.”

Williams has said he doesn’t want to think about his future until after Euro 2024.