FC Barcelona had a clear top transfer target for the last summer transfer window, i.e., the Spanish winger, Nico Williams. The Catalans tried their best to incorporate him into their team, but were unable to do so as the winger never committed to join them. The financial condition of the Blaugrana entity also kept it from making a decisive charge for his signing.
Although he did not join Barcelona, several Blaugrana players share a dressing room with him as Pedri, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal are all his teammates in the Spanish national side in this international break.
One of these players, Pedri, appeared in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and talked about the Catalan club’s pursuit of the Spanish winger. The Barcelona midfielder was quite understanding of why Nico would have decided to stay at his current club:
“Yeah, we teased him a little bit. He had a contract with the club, and it was a tough situation. If he decided to stay, it must have been for a reason. Now we just hope everything goes well for him. Here in the national team, we have a lot of fun with him, and honestly, if he’s happy, we’re all happy.”
Although he would not be able to play with Nico in the Barcelona team, Pedri was quite happy with one of the wingers who was already present in the team and gives everything on the field, the €50 million-rated Raphinha:
“Of course, it’s normal. At Barça, there’s always talk about players leaving, about someone new coming in and taking your spot.”
“But I think Raphinha is a player who, aside from everything — the goals, the assists — is the one who works the hardest, the one who gives everything on the field. And that’s something that’s really appreciated. I would always want him on my team.”
The midfielder also commented on Lamine Yamal:
“Yes, we know each other both with the national team and at Barça. There’s little to say about Lamine. I think everyone is already seeing it. We try to help him stay calm and enjoy the moment.”
The first few games of this season have already shown that Barcelona are not too worse off without Nico Williams in their squad. Hopefully, Raphinha and Co. will continue to put in performances as those in the match against Real Valladolid, and allow the Catalans to completely forget the Athletic Club winger in the months to come.
