Joan Laporta has once again stood up for FC Barcelona in the Nico Williams case. The Azulgrana president, within the framework of his participation in the Koeman Cup golf tournament, where, by the way, he staged his reconciliation with the historic Dutch defender and former club coach, Ronald Koeman, took the opportunity to speak again about Athletic Club and the possible arrival of the left winger from Pamplona this summer.
The first thing he wanted to address was the statement recently issued by the 'Lions', in which they acknowledged having met with LaLiga. In turn, they requested information within the framework of compliance with the 'fair play' financial rules of the club and its ability to incorporate players.
In this context, the Azulgrana president did not want to enter into controversies, downplaying the movements of Athletic and emphasizing the importance of Barcelona's procedure to be able to sign players without problems in this summer market:
"Everyone should do what they have to do. We are doing what Barça has to do when it comes to taking advantage of opportunities in the market, obviously following what our football director and our coach tell us. And in this sense, I have nothing more to say. And with respect to Athletic Club, let them do what they have to do. I respect what they do, as I hope they respect what we do," he commented.
"With respect to Athletic Club, let them do what they have to do. I respect what they do, as I hope they respect what we do."
'Fair play' financial: Laporta minimizes leaks
When questioned about the fact that LaLiga gave Azulgrana financial information to Athletic, 'Jan' did not give it much importance. However, he recalled that there is data that must be kept under strict confidentiality: "It is their job. What I do have to say is that what Barça does concerns Barça, and LaLiga knows that the accounts of the clubs have an important degree of confidentiality. I understand that everyone, based on what they can do, is going to move. We are complying with all the requirements that LaLiga and fair play demand of us in order to take advantage of market opportunities," he warned.
"What Barça does concerns Barça, and LaLiga knows that the accounts of the clubs have an important degree of confidentiality."
Laporta and Nico Williams' clause: Barcelona is ready to pay it
After the controversy, Laporta was also asked about the possible incorporation of Nico Williams and whether the Azulgrana team is in a position to pay his release clause when the time comes. Although without giving names, the president admitted that the club has economic muscle to do so:
"I am not going to talk about players. I am talking about opportunities in the market, of which there are several, and in this sense we are there. We are willing, and if a market opportunity involves paying a clause, Barça is prepared to, if we decide to take advantage of it, do what is necessary," he emphasized.
Fiscalization of Athletic: "We have nothing to hide"
Finally, in relation to the alleged fiscalization that Athletic Club is proposing, Laporta was totally open to this process being carried out with the Barcelona team, confident of overcoming it without problems:
"As we have nothing to hide, we have no problem with being audited. We do want everyone to be treated with the same yardstick. In this sense, we do not feel harmed or persecuted. We are doing things correctly, we have nothing to hide, and what we are going to try to do is that: take advantage of market opportunities," he concluded.