Deco issues a warning to Athletic Club over Nico Williams's signing

Barça's sporting director, Deco, reviewed last summer's signings from a blaugrana perspective in a recent interview. The Portuguese expressed great satisfaction with the new additions and how the club managed the contract renewals of the club's top assets. In this regard, he made special mention of Lamine Yamal, the Brazilian Raphinha, and the Frenchman Jules Koundé.

Deco is pleased to have achieved the goals that had been set with Hansi Flick and believes that the squad is more complete than last season's. Deco also analyzed the unsolved situations, such as the contract renewals of certain players, especially that of Frenkie De Jong. The Dutch international's contract ends in 2026, and although he has stated that his desire is to stay at Barça, his renewal is still pending.

Deco is also delighted with Marcus Rashford, who is performing well at the start of this season. The Portuguese believes that it's still too early to know whether Barça will ultimately exercise the purchase option they have on the British forward. He emphasized that it is a simple loan and doesn't include any penalty if the club decides not to sign the English winger.

Criticism of Athletic over the Nico Williams issue

During his review of the summer market and Barça's moves, Deco also highlighted the Nico Williams issue. According to Deco, the Navarrese forward was offered by his agent, but negotiations failed. The reasons why his signing did not materialize lie in the conditions demanded by the Navarrese player, which did not fit the club's plans.

According to Deco, Barça did not accept the winger's conditions because the club will not allow any footballer to dictate terms with their demands. The blaugrana sporting director was critical of Athletic, stating that the Basque team is not an example of anything. Likewise, he pointed out that the Basque club should be concerned with the player's agent, who had offered him to Barça on several occasions.

Deco doesn't hold back

In his review of current blaugrana affairs, Deco wanted to reaffirm and make it clear that Barça did not fail in any way in the Nico Williams case. With Deco's words toward the Bilbao club, he hinted that Athletic's management of their own player was not transparent. Deco stressed that Barça kept a firm stance of not giving in to demands that do not align with the club's philosophy.

The Portuguese sent a clear message: Barça doesn't allow themselves to be dictated to and always seeks consistency in their sporting decisions. According to Deco, the Nico Williams case showed how Barça handles their decisions firmly while respecting the club's internal boundaries. Deco makes it clear with his words that not everything that shines outside the club has a place within.