Barcelona Eyes Nico Williams, but Hansi Flick Guarantees Raphinha’s Future

The future of Raphinha at Barcelona has been a topic of much discussion following the recent news of Nico Williams’ potential move to the Catalan club. The Athletic Club player has been linked with a transfer to the Blaugrana for quite some time now, with speculation surrounding his move intensifying.

Reports from The Athletic have confirmed that Barcelona has reached a verbal agreement with the 22-year-old winger regarding personal terms. Nico Williams has a release clause set at €60 million, a figure that, despite being high, has not deterred Barcelona from pursuing the deal. The club’s interest in the young talent marks a potential shift in the club’s attacking options, creating concerns for other forwards in the squad, particularly Raphinha, who shares the same position as Williams.

However, the arrival of Williams could lead to significant changes in Barcelona’s attacking hierarchy. According to Everything Barca, there is growing concern that Raphinha may be pushed down the pecking order, losing his spot in the starting lineup. This comes despite the Brazilian’s impressive performance last season, where he netted 18 goals and provided 11 assists in 36 La Liga appearances during the 2024/2025 season.

Realizing the potential threat to his place in the team, Raphinha reportedly requested a meeting with manager Hansi Flick to clarify his future. The 28-year-old forward wanted reassurance about whether he would be dropped from the first team if Williams joined.

The good news for Raphinha is that Flick reassured him about his role in the squad. In a conversation with the player, the Barcelona head coach confirmed that Raphinha would not be relegated to the bench. In fact, Flick intends to use the Brazilian’s tactical intelligence in a more central role. "You will play as an attacking midfielder or as a '9'. You will not be a substitute," said Hansi Flick, as quoted by Madrid-Barcelona. This announcement should provide Raphinha with some comfort, knowing that he remains an integral part of the team’s plans for the upcoming season.

On the other hand, Barcelona is facing a tense situation with Athletic Club regarding the pursuit of Nico Williams. Reports from Cadena SER, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, reveal that the Basque club has raised concerns with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga about Barcelona’s actions. Athletic Club has reportedly requested a thorough audit of Barcelona’s financial operations, especially after the Catalan club’s attempt to poach one of their star players.

Athletic’s main argument is that Barcelona is not in an ideal financial position to meet Williams' €60 million release clause. The club believes that Barcelona is not adhering to La Liga’s 1:1 financial regulation, which limits clubs' spending based on the income generated from player sales or wage reductions. This rule is meant to ensure that clubs do not overspend in relation to their revenue.

As a result, Athletic Club has officially requested that Spanish football authorities block any transfers involving Nico Williams until Barcelona fully complies with the current financial regulations. This development adds an extra layer of complexity to what was already a high-stakes transfer pursuit.

In conclusion, while Raphinha can breathe easy knowing that Hansi Flick is committed to his role at Barcelona, the club’s pursuit of Nico Williams is far from straightforward. With Athletic Club raising valid concerns over Barcelona’s financial conduct, it remains to be seen how this saga will unfold, particularly if the Catalan club is forced to address its financial situation before completing any further deals.