Owing to their weak financial position, FC Barcelona have been forced to operate with a policy of maximum frugality in the transfer market. This phenomenon was clearly apparent in the last transfer window, as the club spent only around €4 million on new players.
However, it is a testament to the shrewdness of the club’s staff that Barcelona was able to significantly strengthen its squad despite spending only such a minimal amount.
Further to the club’s delight, these signings have already started contributing to the club on the pitch, with Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo, Ilkay Gundogan, and Oriol Romeu all being important parts of Xavi’s team.
Barcelona and Real Madrid losing out on Nico
With the success they have tasted with such a policy of signing high-profile players for free, Barcelona are also keeping an eye on similar future opportunities. As previously reported here, Nico Williams from Athletic Club was one of the players who meets the criteria of being good, young, and free, as his contract with the Basque club is expiring next year.
For now, Nico has not renewed with his club, leading to a lot of interest for him in the market. Barcelona and Real Madrid both have surveyed the possibility of him being free in the coming summer, but according to SPORT, both might have to accept that they are not going to get the winger for free.
Nico close to a contract renewal
The report mentions that Nico is close to an agreement with Athletic and could reach an agreement before the end of the year. His relationship with the Basque club is good, and his new contract can have a lower release clause so that the door for a future move for Nico is not completely closed, and Athletic also does not lose him for free.
The possibility of being free interested several European sides, but there were also some clubs who were willing to spend money on him in January. Brighton and Aston Villa were two such clubs, while PSG also made inquiries for this purpose. However, Real Madrid and Barcelona were interested only in a free transfer.
However, nothing conclusive has taken place yet, and Nico still has to sign his extension with Bilbao. Thus, the interested clubs will keep an eye on his developments, and if he is unable to sign a new contract by December 31st, he will be available to be signed as a free agent.
