Barcelona VP hits out at Athletic Club over Nico Williams saga – ‘What they’re doing is putting emotional pressure’ | OneFootball

As the first week of July approaches, the name of Nico Williams has increasingly taken over the Catalan media front and centre.

After all, Barcelona are reportedly just a few steps away from signing the Basque winger from Athletic Club in what could well end up being one of the summer’s biggest transfers.

The Basque club, however, have not made the deal easy by any means and have done their level best to complicate the transfer.

Needless to say, Barcelona are anything but happy with how they have handled the situation, especially over a release clause that is completely legally triggerable.

Rafa Yuste speaks

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, Barcelona’s sporting vice president Rafa Yuste was asked to speak about the club’s poor relationship with Athletic Club, the growing tensions over Nico Williams and whether the Catalans could indeed pull off the signing.

“Nico is an Athletic player and we left the Assembly very satisfied, we have a great team with which we are very excited,” he began, giving nothing away.

Yuste then began spilling facts on Barcelona’s newfound financial freedom and claimed the club could make as many signings as needed to stay on the top.

“Don’t worry that we are convinced that everything will be fine and we have the maximum illusion of getting as many titles as possible again.”

“Barça has an increasingly sustainable economic situation, with which we can make, if necessary, any signing,” he added.

Specially asked if Barcelona were in the 1:1 bracket as it stands, he admitted they weren’t but also stated that there was enough time to work it out.

“If we are in the 1:1 rule? No, but it’s June 30, right? I’m very optimistic.”

Athletic Club are trying to prevent Nico’s move to Barcelona. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

The vice president then opened up on the club’s relationship with Athletic Club de Bilbao which appears to be at an all-time low after their links with Nico Williams.

“You would have to ask them, it seems that for a while now they are not very convinced or happy with FC Barcelona, which I do not understand because relationships have always been exquisite.”

“I would like the relations to improve again because players like Alexanco, Zubizarreta, Julio Salinas, Valverde have triumphed in Barcelona and in their heart, they have Athletic Club, of course,” he added, giving examples of positive collaborations between the two clubs in the past.

He then lashed out at the Basque club for how the Nico Williams situation is being handled, not only by the board but also by fans.

“What needs to be done is to ease the tension on Athletic’s part because what they’re doing is putting emotional pressure on their members that can’t bring any kind of happiness to their members, who are intelligent and know that any player in Spain and around the world can leave if they want to or stay if they don’t.”

Speaking specifically on the Basque club’s decision to complain to La Liga and raise concerns about Barcelona’s financial situation, Yuste said,

“I didn’t like it, there are things that are internal to the clubs and I don’t quite understand. I hope and wish that in an act of reflection by Jon (Uriarte), president of Athletic, the situation is normalized for the good of the members who like to watch football.”

“In the last two years, Barça and Athletic have had two exemplary fan bases. The graffiti on Nico’s mural? Inconceivable,” he added.

Finally, he was asked if he was worried about Bayern Muncih’s interest in the winger, to which he said,

“I’m not worried, we are with Deco, the president and the board are very happy with the team we have.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo