Barcelona has gotten rid of a major problem with Nico Williams's decision to renew with Athletic Club.
Although Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick were in favor of signing him, the sporting management, led by Deco, always viewed the operation with suspicion. The player's entourage, his salary demands, and a stance that was too closed to negotiation caused many doubts.
In the end, it was Nico's own agent who tried to reactivate the blaugrana route. But by then, Barça had already changed course.
However, what seemed like a relief in Barcelona could end up becoming a bomb in Bilbao. That's the warning from someone who knows the ins and outs of Spanish soccer very well: Joan Gaspart.
The former Barça president has been clear in his latest statement: "There will be a storm at Athletic for keeping Nico Williams." He says it with good reason.
Gaspart warns: "My intermediary deceives me"
Gaspart hasn't held back. In an interview given to the podcast "Solo para culés," he issued a direct warning that has made a lot of noise in Bilbao:
"I trust my intermediary. But if he then deceives me and I find out that he's been playing both sides, the relationship breaks." He hints that something like that has happened with Nico.
The former blaugrana president claims that there has been a lot of dirty play in the negotiations. A constant tug-of-war, self-serving leaks, broken promises... An outcome that doesn't convince everyone.
At Athletic, they celebrate the renewal as if it were a star signing. But in the offices, some are beginning to wonder if the conditions Nico has signed are sustainable.
A salary that breaks the internal balance
What has bothered the Athletic locker room the most is the figure being discussed. Nico Williams, at just 22 years old, would have gone on to earn more than €15 million ($15 million) gross per season. In addition, it's agreed that his salary will increase as the years go by.
A salary that, although justified by his current level and projection, breaks the club's wage balance.
In Lezama, there are already players who view this new status with suspicion. Nico stays with a star aura, but also with obligations that he'll have to fulfill from day one.
The pressure is going to be enormous. As Gaspart has hinted, if something goes wrong, fingers will start pointing at his entourage.
In Barcelona they breathe... and watch
Meanwhile, at Barça, they're clear: they've gotten rid of a problem. Flick has other priorities, Deco has avoided a toxic signing, and the wage bill hasn't skyrocketed. If Nico fails at Athletic, time will prove them right.
If he succeeds, there won't be any regrets either: at Barça, the bet is now called Bardghji, and planning moves forward without burdens. In addition, Nico Williams's position is well covered with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, the best forwards in Spanish LaLiga.
What Gaspart has said
-"Nico Williams is a great player, but now the problem is no longer Barcelona's. I'm sure there are 1,000 better than him in the world."
-"Now the problem is Bilbao's. I hope they don't say that on top of everything, it's our fault."
-"The problem is Bilbao's. When the players realize they're earning half, of half, of half of what one player makes, they're not going to like it.
A second problem. The fans, if Nico Williams doesn't score 50 goals, will whistle at him."
-"That intermediary Nico Williams has wouldn't have deceived me. We'd have seen it right away."