Barcelona Sporting Director responds to Nico Williams questions and calls Lamine Yamal ‘a gift’

Barcelona Sporting Director Deco was present at the Allianz Arena in Munich to watch Spain beat France at the Euro 2024 , and it has not escaped the attention of the media that Athletic Club Sporting Director Mikel Gonzalez was also present, amid heavy links to Nico Williams.

A report early on Wednesday morning, the day after the game, claimed that Barcelona had agreed terms in principle with Williams’ agent on a contract for the 21-year-old winger. Meanwhile on Monday, Barcelona President Joan Laporta declared on live radio that he liked Williams and that they could afford to activate his €58m release clause. Nevertheless, Deco would not be drawn on the matter.

“He’s not a Barca player, I’m coming to watch the game,” Deco responded to Cadena SER, via Sport.

However he did have more to say about Lamine Yamal, who came up with a wondergoal to start Spain’s comeback.

“It’s very nice to have Lamine. We already knew that he has a lot of quality and is showing incredible maturity. Also assuredness and serenity, both when he plays and when he speaks. He is a gift for everyone. For Barca, for Spanish football and for football in general.”

Certainly Lamine Yamal has been one of Barcelona’s biggest allies in their recruitment effort for Williams. Not only has their chemistry on the pitch made it clear to the Basque winger that he might enjoy playing with him at Barcelona, but before Laporta made any statements about his future, the 16-year-old did not shy away from the fact he would like to play with Williams every week.