Joan Laporta takes over from Deco in talks for Barcelona’s next key transfer target

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken direct control in negotiations for one of the club’s priority summer transfer targets.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Nico Williams as the player in question.

It is of course now common knowledge that, despite previous claims to the contrary, Barcelona have not yet given up hope of landing wide-man Nico before the summer is out.

Though the 22-year-old has rejoined group training with current employers Athletic Club, the brass at the Camp Nou remain hopeful of convincing Nico of the merits of linking up with Hansi Flick’s squad over the weeks ahead.

And, as alluded to above, in efforts towards as much, a new leading figure has taken up the reins in Catalunya’s capital.

As per a report from Sport:

‘To date, the negotiations on the part of Barça have been led by its sporting director, Deco. But at this point, the final decision on the operation will be taken directly by the president. Joan Laporta has taken charge of operation Nico Williams.’

Laporta, it is claimed, is the driving force behind the Blaugrana’s move for Nico, with the Spanish patron of the opinion that his arrival would prove significant not only from a sporting perspective, but a commercial one, too.

It now remains to be seen if the Camp Nou chief can get the job done…