Barcelona rule out move for La Liga rising star this summer – Romano | OneFootball

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are two of world football’s most lethal and in-form wingers at the moment and it is almost criminal that both players play for the same club.

Both being bonafide starters under Hansi Flick, however, means that they have been significantly overworked and the club are thus looked for a new signing who can share the responsibility on the wing and serve as a rotation option.

Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, needless to say, was amongst the first names to come up in Catalonia for he was the club’s top target last summer.

A different scenario

Williams was Barcelona’s top transfer target last year but the rise of Raphinha seems to have altered priorities for Joan Laporta and Co.

As relayed by Fabrizio Romano in a recent update, Barcelona has closed the door on the Basque youngster for the time being. They believe there are other options on the wings that can do a good job.

No more Nico for Barcelona? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

For starters, the club see good young talents in the academy who can step up and provide the required depth, all of whom will be looking for a step up, especially given the poor state of affairs at Barça Atletic.

Dani Rodriguez and Toni Fernandez are the top prospects on that front with the former even making his debut for the first-team recently. A third and lesser-known name who generates a lot of excitement is Jan Virgili.

While Williams would indeed be a blockbuster signing and a great fit, his release clause stands at a hefty €58 million and his contract in the Basque country runs until 2027.

Signing him, in no way, will be economically simple and the club would prefer utilising their limited resources on positions with a more pressing need.