So, a thing happened.
For those unacquainted, the Fell For It Award is given out to those who fell for it once again. And we, my friends, in fact fell for it again.
In the early hours of the morning, a little before noon in Spain, Spanish football got a shock announcement. Nico Williams, in the second year of his saga with Barca, will reject the Catalans again for an improved contract with Bilbao, with higher wages, expiry in 2035, and a release clause of over 90 million euros. It’s so random. It seemed like there was a plan in place, a course of action. It was all logical. Barca would pay the release clause next week, he’d come, and we’d get him registered sometime in August. But nope. Nico never even told Barca he was rejecting them. They found out when we did. So, what now?
Barcelona can’t go after Nico Wiliams ever again. I was nervous about going for him again even this summer, for fear of exactly this. Now we’ve gone and completely wasted yet another 2 weeks of our window for Nico to not join, once again. Club news sources have now put Luis Diaz as our Plan A, and Marcus Rashford as the B. Marcus Rashford.
The sad truth now is that the left wing question will continue to be a problem for Barca for many years now. Barca still want to push Raphinha to the ‘10’ role, which requires starting a better left winger than Ferran. Nico would have solved the problem for a decade at least, but that option’s gone now.
Luis Diaz is a good option, but not viable for Barca for a few reasons. First, I don’t know whether Liverpool would do any business now, especially after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, which is really sad that we have to look at in a footballing aspect so soon after his death. If Liverpool would even sell, there’s little chance we could get the deal under 80 million euros. On top of that, he’s not a profile I like for Barca. He has little pace to his game, something we need, and he’s 28, so doesn’t have many years left at the top.
I of course don’t like Rashford because it’s not 2023 anymore, or 2021, or 2017, or any of those other years we thought he was actually good. Barca need to stay as far away from the Manchester United car crash as possible, and I’m so worried that we’ll actually sign this guy. Please, Deco. Don’t do it.
Instead of being a negative nancy all post, and saying that Barca shouldn’t do anything, should just quit and run it back next season with the B-Team, let’s look at some actual viable routes for Barca to go in after the backstabbing.
First, let’s look at my two favourite LW options, who aren’t Diaz or Rashford. First, we have someone who’s been linked to Barca on and off for a couple years now, but the club hasn’t made a real effort yet to pursue. Rafael Leao. While a departure last summer was deemed unlikely due to Milan’s asking price of around 150 million, the situation’s changed, with the price reportedly being around half of that. I believe Deco can get the price tag even lower, to maybe just over the 64 million Nico would have cost. His salary demands are also reportedly low, with Barca likely being able to pay him between 6-8 million per year, around what they agreed with Nico Williams. The winger’s playstyle is also very similar to Nico’s, and he’d fit into Flick’s setup absolutely perfectly. And at just 26, he’d still have over a half decade left at the top. The competition would also be low, as the only suitors so far, Bayern, aren’t willing to pay the salary.
The other winger I’d love to have at Barca is Kenan Yildiz. One of the most promising talents in the world, and has been lighting it up at the Club World Cup. At just 20, him and Yamal could run the wings for years and years to come. However, despite his electric play, a deal could be very difficult. It would require serious convincing on both club and player side, a big decrease in the 80m price tag, and convincing a player to join who said he wants to stay at Juventus for life. It’s definitely a pipe dream option, but Barca have signed more unlikely targets in the past.
Alternatively, we could stop the winger search altogether and focus on strengthening other areas. Maybe we sign a backup striker to Lewandowski. Maybe we go for the fullback strengthening with Grimaldo and Dumfries, great options for both positions, for a combined price of under 50 million. Maybe we make some more Bardghji-type signings, some good youngsters to take a chance on.
At the end of the day, the Nico Williams news is still devastating to Barca’s summer. Two weeks of prime time gone, the left wing search continuing to be a problem, and all the hopes gone. Barcelona needs to let Nico Williams know how they feel. Fans need to boo him at the New Camp Nou, and Barcelona needs to continue dominating Spanish trophies as they have been, to let El Traidore know what he’s missing out on.
We absolutely cannot go in for Nico ever again, as I said. No player is bigger than Barca, and even if he begs, we can’t let him try to come ever again. Nobody will make Barca look foolish and get away with it. Barcelona fans need to put him with Dembele right near the top of their most hated players list. This cannot be tolerated.
My message to Nico Williams? Just watch how we thrive without you, and see how you could have been a part of this team and succeeded so much. You could have become a legendary player, now you’ll become the next Aduriz or Muniain. You needed Barca more than we needed you. I hope, in 20 years, after this era is long over, when you see Raphinha lauded as a legend in Brazil and Spain, while you’re forgotten outside of the Basque region, you’re still happy with your decision. Barca is never coming back for you.