Barcelona presidential candidate, Victor Font, has accused current president Joan Laporta of misleading about the club’s capacity to sign Nico Williams this summer.
Williams, whose release clause is set at €58m, £49m, has garnered significant attention from top European clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona, following his impressive performances at Euro 2024.
Despite Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles, Laporta has consistently asserted that the club stands a realistic chance of securing Williams.
He has maintained that sufficient efforts have been made behind the scenes to gather the necessary funds.
However, Font has challenged this narrative, arguing that a move for Williams has never been genuinely feasible.
“I wish we could sign Nico Williams as it is what we need,” Font told The Athletic. “The president has said it is possible, but that is not true. Today, it cannot be done.
“We hope it will be possible tomorrow, or the following day. But today, it is not.”
Font continued, “We socios want to dream and to believe what we are being told. The problem is we’ve had three summers of being told all is fine, we’ll sign players and it’s all resolved.
“With every year that passes, the credibility is falling. And this summer, if promises are not fulfilled, credibility will fall even further.”
Laporta’s assurances might be moot, as reports suggest Williams has already opted to stay with Athletic Club for at least another season.
Barcelona’s current priority is to secure another Euro 2024 winner, midfielder Dani Olmo. Negotiations with RB Leipzig are ongoing, with a potential deal valued at over €60m (£51m).
