We will clarify our financial situation soon: Barcelona club president Joan Laporta on Nico Williams deal

The Blaugrana have been financially unstable in recent years.

Spanish giants FC Barcelona are yet to make a big-name signing, with more than half of the transfer window already done. Due to their ongoing financial troubles, Barcelona have found themselves tight-pocketed this summer as they are unable to recruit new players.

To commence the summer, German head coach Hansi Flick was appointed as the new permanent manager by President Joan Laporta on a contract until June 2026 in order to guide the club back to domestic and European success.

After a mixed-bag campaign under former manager Xavi last season, the Barcelona hierarchy decided to part ways with the Spaniard, who was at the helm for almost three years. During this period, he won a solitary LaLiga title along with one Spanish Super Cup.

In the 2023-24 season, the Spanish giants finished second in LaLiga, ten points behind eventual champions and arch-rivals Real Madrid. They fell short to Los Blancos once again, as they suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss in the Spanish Super Cup final. To make matters worse, Barcelona also got knocked out in the quarterfinal rounds of both the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League by Athletic Bilbao and PSG, respectively.

Owing to their complicated financial woes, FC Barcelona have to comply with the stringent Financial Fair Play rules of the league in order to successfully register a new signing. Despite these obstacles, the Barcelona board are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to sign their primary transfer target, Nico Williams, from Athletic Bilbao this summer.

Last season, Williams enjoyed a breakout campaign at both the club and international levels and has an appealing €58m release clause in his current club contract. The 22-year-old talented winger is also keen on the move, as he views the Barcelona project as a perfect destination for his future.

In order to completely focus on the signing of Nico Williams, the club has let go of other potential targets, such as midfielder Amadou Onana, who recently completed a permanent move to Aston Villa from Everton.

FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta when asked about the Nico Williams deal: “Our financial situation has improved a lot.”

“We’re close to normality. Today, Barça can sign big names as we did our job.”

“We will clarify our financial situation soon.”

Ever since he was elected President for his second spell in 2021, Joan Laporta has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get the club’s abysmal financial record books back on track. Due to the mismanagement of club affairs under former President Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barcelona have found themselves financially unstable in recent years.

One of the major talking points of Bartomeu’s controversial tenure were the failed lucrative signings of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé for a combined transfer package of €270 million.

In order to prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 season, FC Barcelona are set to travel to North America once again this summer as they are going to participate in the Soccer Champions Tour 2024 in the USA. During this pre-season tour, Hansi Flick’s side is scheduled to play three friendly matches against the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.

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