Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has shed light on why the club did not pursue a transfer for Nico Williams last summer. He explained that there were other pressing priorities for the team, which influenced their decision not to sign the Athletic Club winger.
Speaking in an interview with ‘Barça One’, Deco outlined the careful steps his team and the coaching staff follow when considering new signings or promoting home-grown talent.
Deco highlighted that the club’s approach begins with the manager’s input. If the current squad is deemed strong enough, there’s no immediate need to sign new players.
“The manager was the first to say that if we couldn’t bring the level we could continue with what we have. We reflect we don’t make hasty decisions,” Deco stated. He emphasized the importance of thorough reflection and avoiding rushed decisions.
Why was Nico’s transfer scrapped?
When questioned about Nico, who gained attention following his impressive performances in the Euro Cup with Spain and his MVP status in the tournament final, Deco confirmed that there were discussions about his potential signing.
However, he explained that there were specific reasons why Barcelona chose not to move forward with the transfer.
“I’ll tell you again. We’re talking about level. Today we have Raphinha, Ferran, the return of Ansu (he was very good in pre-season), Lamine and players like Fermin or Olmo who can play there.”
Deco also mentioned that the acquisition of Dani Olmo provided more flexibility for the team. He noted, “To bring someone in, they had to be of a very high level. With the signing of Dani, it gave you more options.
“It’s not that we haven’t spoken to players, but we had other priorities that have been decisive in not bringing in another winger.”
In summary, Deco made it clear that while Nico was a consideration, Barcelona’s decision was based on the current squad’s strengths and other pressing needs, particularly the strategic importance of signing Olmo.
