Barcelona plan to activate priority target’s release clause on Friday – report | OneFootball

Barcelona are ready to make a big move this Friday, July 4, by paying Nico Williams’ €62 million release clause, according to a report from La Vanguardia.

This decision marks a huge step toward bringing the talented Athletic Club winger to Camp Nou. For sporting director Deco, the key to this operation is trust between the club and the player.

He firmly believes that registration problems will be resolved, and guarantees will be given through other channels if needed.

Nico is currently enjoying his holiday, but both he and Barcelona are keen to avoid him having to report for pre-season with Athletic Club, whose schedule begins with medical tests on July 9.

While Nico has a few extra days off, everyone wants the deal done before then to ensure he joins Barça’s preparations instead.

Registration hurdle remains

Despite the agreement on the release clause, Barcelona are still facing a big challenge of registering Nico.

Barcelona will pay the release clause this week. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

The club needs to clear between €50 million and €60 million in financial fair play to fit his salary into their books. Paying the release clause is one thing, but registering him with La Liga is another issue entirely.

To make this possible, Barcelona plan to officially announce Ansu Fati’s loan move to Monaco this Tuesday. His departure will free up around €8 million in salary space, bringing Barça closer to their financial targets.

Additionally, players like Pablo Torre, Pau Víctor, and Inaki Pena are expected to leave, which would further ease the club’s wage bill and help meet the requirements for registering new players.

So far, negotiations between Barcelona and Nico have gone smoothly, but talks with Athletic Club have been more complicated. Nonetheless, Deco remains confident that the transfer will happen without major issues.

The focus is now on finalising outgoing transfers quickly so that Nico can be registered in time for the new season.