“We can’t sign Nico Williams” – Joan Laporta accused of misleading Barcelona supporters | OneFootball

Last month, Joan Laporta confirmed that Barcelona have the means to activate Nico Williams’ Athletic Club €58m release clause, despite the club’s crippling financial issues. The 22-year-old winger is their top target for this summer’s transfer window, although it seems increasingly unlikely that he will join.

Multiple reports have emerged since Laporta’s statements which have said that Barcelona have the money to sign Williams, but these have been called out by Victor Font, who went against Laporta in the last presidential elections – and he’s expected to do so again in 2026.

Speaking to The Athletic (via Sport), Font claimed that Barcelona are not capable of paying Williams’ release clause.

“I wish we could sign Nico Williams because that’s what we need. The president has said that it is possible, but that is not true. Today it cannot be done. We hope that it will be possible tomorrow. But today, it is not.

“The members want to dream and believe what they tell us. The problem is that they have been telling us for three summers that everything is fine, that we will sign players and that everything is resolved. With each passing year, credibility falls. And this summer, if promises are not kept, credibility will fall even more.”

It’s not only Font that doubts Barcelona’s ability to sign Williams – the player himself is also unsure, which is why he appears sceptical to commit to the move this summer.