Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has explained why the club did not seek to sign Nico Williams last summer. He mentioned that other urgent priorities for the team influenced their decision not to pursue the Athletic Club winger. In an interview with ‘Barça One’ (h/t SPORT), Deco detailed the thorough process his team and the coaching staff use when evaluating new signings or promoting home-grown talent.

Deco emphasized that the club’s process starts with the manager’s assessment. If the current squad is considered strong enough, there is no urgent need to add new players.

“The manager was the first to suggest that if we couldn’t improve the squad, we should stick with what we have. We take time to reflect and avoid making hasty decisions,” Deco explained, highlighting the importance of careful consideration and avoiding rushed choices.

When asked about Nico Williams, who drew attention with his standout performances in the Euro Cup and his MVP accolade in the final, Deco acknowledged that there were discussions regarding his potential signing. However, he explained that Barcelona decided against moving forward with the transfer for specific reasons.

Deco noted, “We’re considering the overall level of our squad. Currently, we have Raphinha, Ferran, Ansu’s return (who performed well in pre-season), Lamine, and players like Fermin or Olmo who can fill that role.” He also pointed out that signing Dani Olmo added more flexibility to the team. “To bring in a new player, they needed to be of a very high level. With Dani’s signing, we gained more options,” Deco said.

In essence, Deco clarified that while Nico Williams was considered, Barcelona’s decision was influenced by the existing squad’s strengths and other critical needs, particularly the strategic value of acquiring Olmo.