Joan Laporta has hit the jackpot while desperately searching for money under the rocks to register Dani Olmo.
He'll have to thank Xavi. A part of his legacy, Nico González, is thriving in the Portuguese league with Porto.
Liverpool: Willing to Pay 60 Million
Liverpool is decisively betting on him after the impossibility of signing Zubimendi.
Nico—son of Fran González, a legendary player of Super Depor—stood out in Barça's youth academy. He appeared in the first team alongside Gavi in 2023. Xavi was the one who gave him the opportunity.
However, he always had a secondary role in the shadow of an emerging Gavi who grabbed all the headlines. He gradually lost prominence until Laporta decided to sell him to Porto with Deco's blessing.
Barça Sold Him for 8.4 Million
Barça received 8.4 million euros for Nico's sale. It retained a buyback option for 30 million, as well as 40% of his rights in case of a future transfer.
Nico Gonzalez | Skills and Goals | Highlights
The moment has arrived. Porto has set Nico's release price at 60 million euros and Liverpool is willing to pay that amount.
If the open secret circulating around Anfield is confirmed, Barça would receive 24 million from the operation. It would be unexpected money that would cover many gaps in Joan Laporta's accounting.
However, there's another possibility that Laporta doesn't rule out. Pay the 30 million agreed with Porto to recover Nico. Then sell him for 60 million to Liverpool.
In Barça's offices, they're studying the steps to take. Although, given the good relations with Porto, the club plans to limit itself to collecting its share of the operation.
Adding the 24 million from Liverpool to the 8.4 million Porto paid for him in 2023, the total would bring Barça 32.4 million euros.