Last week, the newspaper Marca featured on its cover Real Madrid's interest in Nico Williams. Josep Pedrerol denied it last night on El Chiringuito. It is Athletic that wants to sell its star.
"Real Madrid's interest in Nico Williams never existed"
According to Josep Pedrerol, it is all a maneuver by Athletic Bilbao to place their merchandise this very summer.
"Without denying anyone (Marca), Athletic Club has wanted to sell a Real Madrid interest that never existed." This is how Josep Pedrerol made it clear how far Nico Williams is from Bernabéu at this moment.
He added: "Athletic and Nico Williams don't mind a sale at this moment. They are both on board with it."
They seek with Real Madrid for Barça to take the bait
The maneuver, uncovered by Josep Pedrerol, is clear. The player's agents intend to encourage Barça by reactivating an operation that stalled last summer.
The player wants to leave, after the Europa League fiasco, with the final in San Mamés, which advised him to stay one more year in Bilbao. Athletic wants to sell, and the agents dream of Laporta becoming interested in him again.
He wants to play at Barça, where he has many friends, including Lamine Yamal. Athletic has become too small for him and now he seeks titles, not just respectable roles.
But at Barça, they are not convinced that Nico Williams is a necessary signing. His numbers question the operation.
Nico Williams's numbers are poor for Barça
43 games (heavily pursued by injuries), 10 goals, 7 assists. He has directly participated in 17 goals. Correct numbers for Athletic, but very poor for Barça.
Nico Williams would arrive at Barça to sit at the same table as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. And that doesn't seem to be the case. The two stars of the blaugrana forward line operate with different figures.
Lamine Yamal has played 55 games, with 18 goals and 22 assists. He has directly participated in 40 goals.
Barça's train has already passed for Nico Williams
Meanwhile, Raphinha has played 57 games, with 34 goals and 25 assists. That is, he has directly participated in 59 of the goals Barça has scored this season.
Barça is looking for a third winger to rotate with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, but they are looking for someone who is at their level. And that is not the case with Nico Williams. His marketing is exceptional, but his numbers leave much to be desired.
Barça's train has already passed for Nico Williams. Now Deco is looking in the Premier (Rashford or Luis Díaz), while Nico Williams's agents try to place him in Spanish soccer.