Why Nico Williams’ move to Barcelona is currently blocked | OneFootball

La Liga champions Barcelona are not currently in a position to complete the signing of Athletic Club star and chief transfer target Nico Williams.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who have on Wednesday provided an insight into the situation.

It is of course now common knowledge that Nico’s signing is very much back on the agenda at Barcelona.

During a meeting between Deco and the attacker’s agent, Félix Tainta, last week, the latter made clear that his client’s only desire for the months ahead is to seal a long-awaited Camp Nou switch.

Barca, for their part, remain keenly interested in as much, with Nico having reestablished himself at the very top of the transfer wishlist in Catalunya’s capital.

As alluded to above, though, if the latest word stemming from the Spanish media is anything to go by, then, for the time being at least, the signing of the Athletic Club star is simply not possible.

As per a report from MD:

‘In order to register Nico Williams if the signing goes ahead, it will be necessary to significantly lighten the wage bill.’

Whilst Barcelona are insistent that they have the money available to activate Nico’s release clause, the necessary space is not currently open on the Blaugrana’s wage bill to take on the Spanish international’s salary.

This means that the outbound Ansu Fati will need to be joined by one more high-profile departure, before Deco and co. move ahead with bringing in Nico.

Conor Laird – GSFN