Laporta shares behind-the-scenes details on Nico Williams negotiations: “We weren’t the ones pursuing Nico — his agent approached us. Deco initiated the talks, but once the conditions changed, we decided to step back.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has shed light on the behind-the-scenes developments surrounding Nico Williams, Deco’s influence, and the eventual decision to pursue Marcus Rashford instead.

 

According to Laporta, the initiative to sign Nico Williams did not originate from the club itself.

 

In fact, it was Nico’s agent who first approached Barcelona, offering the player to them.

 

At that time, Laporta revealed that Nico wasn’t high on his priority list. He was focused on other players who either had different skill sets or more experience at the top level.

 

However, Deco, the club’s sporting director, took a strong interest in Nico. Known for his no-nonsense approach and keen eye for talent, Deco believed that Nico’s speed, technical ability, and youth made him a strong candidate for the team.

 

With Deco’s insistence, the club agreed to open initial talks. But Laporta emphasized that Barça was not prepared to enter drawn-out or unpredictable negotiations.

 

To keep things under control, Deco set a strict 48-hour deadline for Nico’s representatives to accept the club’s terms — including salary structure, transfer fee, and other financial elements.

 

Despite the early optimism, the talks quickly became complicated. The conditions initially discussed began to shift.

 

The agent fees, bonus clauses, and installment plans all changed during the process. Laporta admitted there was a “big difference” between what was first presented and the revised terms.

 

These sudden changes led to frustration and a growing sense that the deal might not be worth pursuing. In the end, Barcelona decided to back out of the negotiations.

 

At the same time, the club was exploring other attacking options. Luis Díaz was one of them — a player Laporta admired for his energy, versatility, and goal threat.

 

However, Liverpool showed no interest in negotiating, which made a potential deal nearly impossible.

 

Though Díaz himself was keen on the move, the club’s firm stance and the high price tag closed that door.

 

That’s when Marcus Rashford emerged as the most viable and attractive option. With Manchester United facing instability and Rashford reportedly open to a new challenge, the possibility of signing him became more realistic.

 

Laporta, a long-time admirer of Rashford’s skillset and leadership qualities, saw this as the best possible outcome.

 

Deco and the rest of the technical staff agreed, and eventually, the club finalized the signing.