LaLiga president Javier Tebas has suggested Barcelona are close to being able to afford a deal to sign Spain star Nico Williams.
The Athletic Bilbao forward has been one of the breakout stars during his country’s run to the Euro 2024 final, where they will play England in Berlin on Sunday.
Williams, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, has started every game for Luis de la Fuente’s side while forming a thrilling frontline alongside Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata.
The 21-year-old scored and assisted during the round-of-16 win over Georgia, raising an already exciting profile in the game.
Arsenal have monitored the forward, though it is thought his wages may have proven a stumbling block.
Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the player, who is thought to have a release clause in his contract.
While Williams has vowed to focus on his club future after the European Championship, Barca president Joan Laporta has claimed the club would be able to afford to bring him to the Camp Nou.
Tebas has now seemingly confirmed that, suggesting the club will be able to spend if they meet the requirements for the ‘1:1 rule’ in LaLiga.
That would allow them to register players without restrictions, having previously needed to sell players before doing so due to financial limitations.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport, Tebas said: “I was heavily criticised by Barcelona when I said that the club would have a hard time reaching that situation and being able to sign players.
“Now I say that it is the moment in which it is closest to reaching 1:1. With the reduction in wages and club structure, and with some more movements, the chances of reaching that 1:1 and therefore having more freedom of action are much higher.”
Speaking on Williams specifically, the LaLiga president added: “If they reach the 1:1 norm, they will be able to do so.
“You have to think that with Barcelona's effort to reduce their wage bill by more than 200 million and other measures that have already taken place within the club and that have nothing to do with the levers, they can perfectly bring in a player like Nico Williams .
“I think he has a termination clause of 85 million: when you buy for 85 million, the amortization is divided by the years of the contract; if you sign him for five, it would be less than 20 million per year, plus what you pay the player.
“Barca will be able to reach those amounts, perfectly acceptable if they are within the 1:1 norm. It is a club that is close to 1,000 million in turnover, it can be in that line.”
