La Liga president Javier Tebas has confirmed that Barcelona are close to being able to afford the signing of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.
Williams, 22, has a 58 million euro ($63.2 million) release clause in his contract and Barca president Joan Laporta said last week that the Catalan club could afford to sign the Spain international.
Barca are still exceeding the annual spending limit imposed by La Liga, which prevents them from registering new signings, but Tebas said their financial situation is improving.
“If Barça returns to a spending limit of 1:1 [permitted to invest anything they raise in transfers or savings on wages]”That is, if they do not exceed their salary cap, they will be able to do so,” Tebas told Diario Sport when asked if a deal for Williams would be financially possible.
“You have to think that with Barcelona's efforts to reduce its wage bill by more than 200 million euros (218 million dollars) and other measures that have already been carried out within the club that have nothing to do with its financial levers, [selling assets]It is perfectly possible to bring in a player like Nico Williams.
“I think he has a 58 million euro buy-out clause. When you sign a player for 58 million euros, the amortisation is divided by the years of the contract; if you sign him for three years, it would be less than 20 million euros a year, plus whatever you pay the player.”
“Barça will be able to play in these amounts, which are perfectly acceptable if they return to the 1:1 rule.
“They are a club that has a turnover of around one billion euros, they can be in that range for that type of signings.
“We have to keep in mind that the 1:1 scenario has to be achieved first. They haven't achieved it yet, but it's the closest they've come. If they do, they can sign Nico Williams or another player with those characteristics.”
ESPN previously reported on Barca's desire to sign a midfielder and a left winger this summer, with Williams the priority for the latter role.
The Athletic winger has shone at Euro 2024 this summer, helping Spain reach Sunday's final against England.
He has also been repeatedly asked about his future while in Germany, which has angered his current club.
Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte said this week that Williams has been “subjected to a bombardment of questions” and that the Spanish Federation has not protected him.
Uriarte added that the Basque team is capable of matching Williams' ambitions in the sporting and economic aspects.
Meanwhile, Williams, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on Friday, has said her only focus is Euro 2024 and nothing beyond Sunday's final in Berlin.
