Barcelona Didn’t Want Nico Williams: Deco Defends Transfer Stance and Hails Marcus Rashford as the Better Fit
When the summer transfer window slammed shut, few stories in Spain had been as dramatic – or as controversial – as Barcelona’s failed pursuit of Nico Williams. For weeks, the Athletic Club winger was heavily tipped to make the move to Camp Nou. At one stage, it looked like a done deal. Then came the U-turn, the chaos, and ultimately, Williams’ decision to commit his long-term future to Bilbao.
But according to sporting director Deco, the story that circulated in the press wasn’t quite the reality behind the scenes. In fact, the Brazilian-born former midfielder insists Barcelona never truly wanted Williams in the first place. Instead, he says, it was the player’s own camp who pushed for talks.
And while Deco acknowledges Williams’ undeniable talent, he also made it clear that Hansi Flick’s Barcelona were looking for something else entirely – a profile more like Marcus Rashford, who eventually joined from Manchester United.
Nico Williams and the Failed Barcelona Move
Nico Williams Barcelona
The Williams saga became one of the longest-running stories of the summer. The explosive winger, one of La Liga’s brightest young stars, appeared destined to leave Athletic. Barcelona were linked daily, with the Spanish press even suggesting contracts were being drafted.
Then, almost overnight, everything changed. Williams shocked many by signing a ten-year deal at San Mamés, pledging his future to Athletic in one of the longest contracts seen in modern football. For Barcelona, who had already been linked so heavily, it was an embarrassing turnaround.
President Joan Laporta reportedly pointed fingers at Deco, claiming he had mishandled the deal. But Deco has since pushed back. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the sporting director explained:
According to Deco, it was Williams’ representatives who initiated contact, not the club itself. And while the winger could have added options out wide, he wasn’t the piece Barca were missing most.
Deco Explains Barcelona’s Transfer Strategy
Real Oviedo v FC Barcelona – LaLiga EA Sports
One of the key points Deco stressed was that Williams didn’t fit the tactical balance Hansi Flick wanted for his squad. Barcelona already had Ferran Torres moving centrally, leaving a gap not on the wings, but in that hybrid role between left forward and striker.
“If you bring in Nico, you have a right and a left wing,” Deco explained, “but not so much the ‘9’ profile. He’s a fantastic player, yes, but he doesn’t give you that other option. We needed something more.”
The director went further, clarifying why negotiations collapsed:
“There’s no mistake. We simply set the club’s conditions. We wouldn’t accept the conditions they set us, because no player is going to impose restrictions on Barcelona. We gave them a deadline, they didn’t respond, and so we moved on. It’s as simple as that.”
In other words, Barcelona were never prepared to meet Williams’ terms, and once it became clear he was heading elsewhere, the Catalan club wasted no time turning to other targets.
Why Marcus Rashford Was the Right Fit
Once the Williams chapter was closed, Barcelona pivoted quickly. Their eventual solution was bold: Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
The England international arrived with questions surrounding his consistency, but he has answered them emphatically. Two goals and three assists in his first seven games have helped keep Barcelona unbeaten and top of La Liga.
Deco believes Rashford ticked every box that Flick was looking for.
“Looking at last season’s squad, we were missing something,” Deco admitted. “We thought Ansu Fati would fill that role, but injuries and setbacks made it difficult for him. We needed someone who could play wide, but also as a number 9. Luis Díaz fit that profile. Rashford fit that profile. In the end, it was a matter of negotiation.”
For Deco, Rashford’s versatility, explosiveness, and experience at the highest level made him a more natural solution than Williams.
Rashford’s Revival in Barcelona Colors
Deco didn’t just stop at explaining the logic of the deal – he also praised Rashford’s personal journey.
“He’s a very high-level player,” Deco said. “He exploded very early at United, then had great seasons, then years that were more complicated with changes of coaches. Perhaps he struggled because they demanded too many things from him there. But here, he’s happy, and that’s the most important thing.”
Indeed, Rashford seems revitalized in Spain. Freed from the pressure cooker environment of Old Trafford, he has been smiling, confident, and effective. His ability to drift inside, press high, and stretch defenses has given Flick’s attack a new dimension.
Flick’s Barcelona Set for Champions League Test
Now, all eyes turn to the Champions League. Barcelona face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and Rashford is expected to play a leading role. It’s the kind of fixture where Barca will need his pace and directness, especially against a team as dangerous as PSG.
For Deco, Rashford’s impact has already vindicated the club’s decision. The Williams saga may have caused a stir, but Barcelona’s sporting director insists that the squad is stronger for having chosen the right player for the right system.
And while Nico Williams continues to shine in Bilbao, the Blaugrana seem more than content with their English alternative.
Final Thoughts
In the world of football transfers, perception often overtakes reality. The Nico Williams saga looked like a Barcelona failure from the outside, but inside the club, Deco insists it was simply a matter of profile, priorities, and principles.
Williams may be a star, but he wasn’t the star Barcelona needed. Marcus Rashford, on the other hand, has already started to look like the perfect fit for Flick’s vision.
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