Barcelona make improved salary offer to Nico Williams in attempt to persuade him as details come to light: Reports
Barcelona are reportedly ready to go the distance to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao this summer. The Catalan giants have been linked with the Spain international throughout the summer transfer window.
Now as per a report in El Nacional, Barcelona have made a new and improved offer to Williams to persuade him to move to Camp Nou. They have offered him a €11 million per season deal in the hope that he agrees to the move.
Joan Laporta, the Barca president, spoke to the media earlier this summer. admitting that the club wanted to sign the winger. He even claimed they could afford to activate the release clause and said (via Barca Blaugranes):
“Obviously I like him, a lot. But here we have to let those who have the responsibility work, and Deco is working to make the signings that he and Flick have discussed, and I hope to have good news. Today we can afford to sign Nico Williams. We can afford a signing like Nico’s. It is the result of the work that has been done over the years to get to this point, we could afford a signing of this level.”
Nico Williams reportedly has a €58 million release clause in his contract, which has put several clubs on alert. Athletic Bilbao want to keep hold of him and have reportedly offered him a new deal with an increased release clause.
Joan Laporta claims Barcelona's finances are improving
Joan Laporta claimed earlier this month that Barcelona were working hard to get their finances sorted. He added that the club were slowly getting back to normal with respect to their finances. He said (via Barca Blaugranes):
“It has been three very intense years, with many things to do, but we have worked very well and we are happy with the work because the club’s finances are recovering and we will soon have good news in this regard.
“We are working to confirm the club’s economic recovery and there are a series of operations that we have worked on and that we will soon be able to announce. It is very comforting to be able to finish this process that has taken us three years and I hope that we return to normality.”
Reports earlier this week suggested that Barcelona had identified Rafael Leao as an alternative for Nico Williams.