"BARCELONA SPORTING DIRECTOR DECO SAYS BARCELONA IS NOT A CLUB FOR FRIENDS BUT A CLUB TO WIN

Barcelona Sporting Director Deco has stated that Barcelona is not a club for friends, but one built on hard work and ambition. He made this comment while speaking to La Vanguardia about the ongoing Nico Williams transfer saga.

Recall that Nico Williams turned down a move to Barcelona last year in favor of remaining at his boyhood club, Athletic Bilbao. However, recent reports from reputable sources suggest that Nico is now more open to joining Barça and is actively pushing for the move.

If the transfer goes through, Nico would reunite with his Spanish national teammate and close friend, Lamine Yamal. During a past interview with the national team, Yamal jokingly told Nico that he wouldn’t win any club titles if he didn’t join Barcelona.

Some fans and pundits believe that the friendship between Nico and Yamal could be influencing Nico’s decision to join the Catalan giants.

Deco, however, clarified that the club's interest in Nico predates this current window. Speaking to La Vanguardia, he confirmed that Nico Williams has been on Barcelona’s transfer agenda since last season.

In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano on X, Deco said:

“Nico’s name was already on the table last season. The idea of signing him has always been there.”

While acknowledging that Nico and Yamal’s friendship could help build great chemistry, Deco stressed that Barcelona prioritizes commitment and excellence.

 â€œTheir friendship is a nice bonus, of course… but this isn’t a club for friends — we’re here to work and to win.”

Deco also addressed the club’s internal decisions, confirming that Barcelona plans to extend Marc-André ter Stegen’s contract despite having signed Joan García.

On Ronald Araújo, Deco defended the Uruguayan, describing him as one of the best defenders in La Liga and noting that he has received some unfair criticism.

Meanwhile, Nico Williams is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich, especially after the German club failed to sign Florian Wirtz. For now, however, Nico appears to be prioritizing a move to Barcelona and is reportedly willing to lower his wage demands to make the transfer happen.