Barcelona appear to have switched their attentions from Nico Williams to Dani Olmo this summer, yet none of the Blaugrana sources that inform the local media are willing to rule out the deal definitively.
Part of the reason is that despite consistent reporting that Williams will take the decision to stay in Bilbao this coming year, he has not informed either side of his decision in a formal sense. Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde reaffirmed on Friday morning that he was just as relaxed about Williams’ future as he was a couple of weeks ago.
“I am as calm as I was before. The market will close on the 31st of August and there is still a month left. I’m not just referring to Nico, but we can also improve our team. We will see what happens because every day something new appears in the press, but we must not let these things affect us,” Valverde told Sport.
RB Leipzig are still not willing to accept the new offer from Barcelona for Dani Olmo. Leipzig are not happy with the new numbers presented. They demand at least €60m, fair to achieve + add-ons. Olmo wants to join Barcelona over all other options. @Plettigoal
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 2, 2024
Meanwhile MD assure that Barcelona President Joan Laporta continues to be keen on recruiting Williams now, but if he does decide to stay at Athletic this summer, he will not close the door on a move next summer. The one thing that would rule out any move while Laporta is calling the shots is if he signs another new deal with Athletic, and increases his release clause to €100m, with the Basque side willing to offer him a wage rise.
It had been reported, as his doubts about a move emerged, that Sporting Director Deco had told Williams that it was now or never for a move to crank up the pressure. Certainly if Barcelona do sign Olmo instead this summer, fitting the likes of Williams, Olmo, Pedri and Lamine Yamal into the same side would be a tricky enough task.
The tubby needs to work on a different approach.
These extortion tactics, threats, coercion… simply doesnt work anymore as anaIona doesnt have any more clout or attraction power. Why would Nico swap from playing with his brother in a team that won one more trophy than smegmalona to a team that barely makes wages ends meet without borrowing more money. Will they be able to pay his wages? I bet that Bilbao will give him more in wages as well AND they wont force him to re-sign the contract at lower rate when they begin to falter or when for whatever reason they want him out (as vitor).
These are tactics of a desperate man a man who knows that fans will begin to ask questions when this paper thin diIdoIona team starts to choke again come mid season. LaPorka probably knows his time is up at the club. Ironically bastardomeu at least won more trophies at dildoIona helm AND had better economy too LMAOOOOOOO
PAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA