Raphinha and Williams both play on the left of a front three but the Brazilian seems unfazed by the looming competition
Barcelona winger Raphinha has said that Nico Williams is “welcome” at the club, even if they may end up battling for the same position.
Raphinha, who enjoyed an excellent 2024-25 season with 34 goals and 25 assists in all competitions, has operated mostly on the left of Barcelona’s front three, the same position where Williams plays for both club and country. But the Brazilian seems unfazed by the looming competition.
“Any player who comes to the club to contribute is welcome,” Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo. “Anyone who comes with the mentality of working hard is good for the team. It’s no coincidence he’s being considered to join Barcelona. He’s a player of the highest quality.”
Raphinha’s comments come amid tensions that the proposed transfer has continued to generate in Spain. Athletic Club, desperate to keep their homegrown star, have taken the unusual step of lodging concerns with La Liga over Barcelona’s financial position. The Basque club is sceptical that the Catalans can fund the €58 million release clause and remain compliant with financial fair play regulations.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, however, has dismissed those concerns, saying that the club have “taken all the necessary steps to be able to sign normally” and would soon “be able to sign and register the two players we want to sign”.
Some Athletic fans have also protested against the transfer in an ugly manner, with a mural of Williams in the city now vandalised twice in one week.
