FC Barcelona has reached an agreement in principle with its top transfer target as reported by … More
FC Barcelona has reached an agreement in principle with its top transfer target as reported by numerous outlets including Mundo Deportivo, SPORT and market expert Fabrizio Romano.
Wednesday saw Barca finally announce that it had completed Joan Garcia’s transfer from Espanyol, which was made possible by activating the 2024/2025 breakout star’s €25 million release clause with the Catalans’ crosstown rival.
Garcia is expected to oust Marc-Andre ter Stegen and become Hansi Flick’s number one shotstopper, but while Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta try to arrange the German’s departure, it has more incoming transfers planned.
“We are about to make a signing that will be imminent and another where we are very excited about his incorporation. The fact that we are at 1-1 allows us to sign normally and we will continue in this line,” Laporta promised from a senate meeting on the same day Garcia was announced.
Deco had other business to attend to, however, which was namely heading to Ibiza to negotiate with that signing expected to “imminent”.
That is of course Nico Williams, who Barca came close to signing in previous summer windows but couldn’t raise the cash for.
In 2025, Barca feels confident it will have a way of paying the Euro champion with Spain’s €58 million release clause at Athletic Club.
Furthermore, Nico has already reportedly agreed personal terms with the Blaugrana, which is prepared to pay him €7-8 million net per season until mid-2031.
With Nico’s arrival, Ansu Fati’s future is cloudy in Catalonia and he is expected to head to AS Monaco in a tragic fall from grace after once being touted as the future of the club and handed Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt when the Argentine joined Paris Saint-Germain.
Nico Williams could also complicate life for Raphinha at FC Barcelona
Making the left flank his own in 2024/2025 after Lamine Yamal became Ousmane Dembele’s heir on the right, Raphinha put in a Ballon d’Or contender season last term as FC Barcelona won an impressive treble under Flick. If the Nico deal is pulled off, however, it will be interesting to see what his boss has in mind for the Brazilian, which could be a more central number 10 role or the CAM spot that has recently been occupied by Dani Olmo.
