‘We have the money to sign Nico Williams today’ – Barcelona President Joan Laporta | OneFootball

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has surprised many by declaring that they can afford to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who has been heavily linked to the club. Much of the reporting around the club states that the Blaugrana still need to complete several deals and sales in order to think about doing so.

During an interview with Catalunya Radio, Laporta was asked if as of today, Barcelona could afford to sign the 21-year-old from Athletic – he has a release clause of €58m. He was short and sweet with his answer.

“As of today, yes.”

“There will be good news in terms of the sporting side of things, we will announce things soon. We are working on the deals that Hansi has requested.”

Beforehand he had spoken of the improvement in the economic fortunes of the club, stating that they were working on several deals in the background that would ‘confirm the economic recovery of the club’, and that he hoped to be able to announce good news ‘very soon.’ Those operations would have Barcelona return to operating within their salary limit – “we will return to normal in terms of Fair Play shortly,” he added.

Laporta’s words, but also his relaxed and cheerful demeanour were a departure from the mood around the club over the last couple of months. During the short five-minute interview, it seemed he was intending on delivering good news. It would not be the first time that there has been misplaced optimism at Barcelona over the second Laporta mandate, most famously with Lionel Messi, but if he can back that up, then Barcelona’s fanbase will certainly be delighted.