The Nico Williams saga has ended the same way this season as it did last season: staying at Athletic Club. The only difference now is that the doors to Barça have been definitively closed, with a contract until 2035, making him one of the highest-paid in Spain and with a €100 million ($100 million) release clause. In this scenario, FC Barcelona has started looking for alternatives and, as always, has found the best one at home, in La Masia.
La Masia never fails
One of the problems that has led Barça to its current economic situation is the lack of trust in youth academy players during Bartomeu's era. There were signings of mediocre players at high prices when there were better options at home and for €0. With Nico Williams, the opinion is the same: there will be a saving of the €62 million ($62 million) from his release clause plus CPI, which can now be allocated to other targets.
No one wants to lose their head, and this is something Hansi Flick knows. All parties at Barça agree to keep trusting La Masia. It's the best answer to all the problems that exist.
Jan Virgili: Much better than Nico Williams
In the academy, FC Barcelona has a winger with better qualities than Nico Williams, younger and much cheaper. We're talking about Jan Virgili, a forward who will turn 19 this July.
The trust in Virgili is total and Hansi Flick wants to take him on the tour of Asia. He has a contract until 2027 and the idea is to give him a chance before spending many millions on a big signing. If he convinces, there's no doubt that he'll move up to the senior team.
Jan Virgili is a regular on the left wing, is right-footed, and can also play in the center. He offers many options to Hansi Flick, who's won over with his play. He'll follow him closely, trying to see his unbelievable qualities firsthand with the idea of using him with the first team.
Not only does Jan Virgili appeal as a "replacement" for the failed Nico Williams signing. On Barça's table are the names of academy players Dani Rodríguez and Toni Fernández, as well as the African Ibrahim Diarra.
La Masia offers multiple options that make it preferable not to spend a lot of money on the wing. The upcoming generations are very strong, and Jan Virgili now has the opportunity to earn a spot with the senior team. The absence of Nico Williams could be great news for the blaugrana academy.