Luis Figo wants Real Madrid to sign €58 million Barcelona target – ‘He’s a gem’ | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with AS, Real Madrid legend Luis Figo has claimed that he would wish to see Athletic Club winger and Barcelona target Nico Williams play for the Spanish capital club.

Figo, who left Barcelona for Real Madrid almost 25 years ago, stated that Nico is a player who he admires and would prefer to see play for the Merengues.

“There are a lot of players I like. I would sign Nico Williams, for sure. He’s a gem. And at the end of the day the price [the Athletic player’s buy-out clause is €58 million], with what is being paid today, seems affordable to me,” said Figo.

“Because of the quality he has and also because of his youth.”

When asked if he saw any similarities between himself and Nico, the former Portugal winger replied:

“No. We are different players. He’s a player I like a lot for his position. But I wasn’t as fast as him, I wish I had been as fast. I’m talking about the market, because for value and price I think he’s a bargain.”

Figo on Real Madrid at Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso

During the interview, Figo also shared his thoughts about the current Real Madrid team and how he felt they might fare at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup as they transition from Carlo Ancelotti to Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid and Portugal icon Luis Figo. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

On whether winning the Club World Cup would help Real Madrid make up for missing out on the other major titles this season, the icon said:

“It’s a new competition. We have to wait and see how it develops. It’s still a title and everyone wants to win it and gain prestige. I don’t think it’s a salvation for the season either.

“The season itself is the Champions League and the league. It’s the most important thing.

“If you win it’s logical to be happy for the work you’ve done, but it’s a new title and we’ll have to see the importance of the competition when it’s over and when it’s played more times.”

On whether Alonso can make the changes necessary in such a short time, having taken over only this month, Figo replied:

“It’s a difficult question, but I think it’s more an adaptation to Madrid as a coach, because he has little time, it’s the end of the season. It will be complicated to evaluate the results and the work in such a short time, it’s more an adaptation as a coach.”

Figo then discussed Kylian Mbappe’s debut season at Real Madrid, lauding the Frenchman for bouncing back after a slow start.

“At the beginning things weren’t so great, but after that he has done well. He has scored a lot of goals and has adapted to playing for Real Madrid, which is totally different to playing for another team,” said Figo.

However, the former winger stated that the French superstar is unlikely to win any individual honours like the Ballon d’Or this year, saying:

“What might rule him out for individual trophies is the lack of big collective titles, but we’ll see what happens. He is a name that is always on the lists of the best in the world, there is no doubt about that.”