Barcelona sporting director Deco cited versatility as the reason behind the club’s decision to sign midfielder Dani Olmo over winger Nico Williams.
Olmo returned to Barca in August for a deal worth up to €60m, leaving RB Leipzig after a phenomenal Euro 2024-winning campaign with Spain.
In addition to Olmo, Barcelona also wanted to bring in Athletic Club’s Williams, whose contract contains a €58m release clause.
90min reported over the summer that Barcelona’s ‘dream’ plan was to acquire Williams first and then move for Olmo after. However, negotiations stalled over the former and so they proceeded to sign the latter instead.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Deco claimed that Olmo’s ability to play centrally as well as out wide made him more of a priority in the end as the squad was lacking that sort of profile.
“A high-level winger was needed,” Deco admitted. “We have Raphinha, Ferran [Torres], the return of Ansu [Fati] who was very good in pre-season but had a foot injury, we have Lamine [Yamal].
“We have players who can play as wingers like Fermin [Lopez] or Dani Olmo. We were clear that to bring in a player he had to be of a very high level.
“But in the end, signing Dani Olmo gave you more options. It’s not that we haven’t spoken with clubs and players, but in the end we had priorities that were decisive in not bringing in another winger.”
Olmo has made a fantastic start to life at Barcelona, scoring twice in his opening two games for the club. However, he is currently nursing a knee injury picked up in Spain’s 0-0 draw at Serbia last week.
What we know
- Barcelona signed Dani Olmo during summer transfer window
- Nico Williams stayed at Athletic Club despite intense Barca interest
- Deco reveals why move for Olmo was prioritised.
