Barcelona is on the verge of making a significant summer signing, with Spanish reports indicating that Nico Williams, the star forward from Athletic Bilbao, is set to join the Catalan giants. The deal, reportedly worth €58 million, is expected to be announced next week after all contract details have been agreed upon. Williams is said to be signing a five-year contract with a structured salary increase over time. This transfer comes as Barcelona president Joan Laporta has agreed to Athletic Bilbao’s request for a full, upfront payment rather than installments.In other Barcelona news, Rafa Márquez has officially left his position as coach of Barcelona B. The club thanked Márquez for his dedication and professionalism during his tenure, where he played a crucial role in developing young talent. Márquez is now expected to join the Mexican national team as an assistant coach under Javier Aguirre, potentially with an eye on coaching the team for the 2030 World Cup.Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad. The 33-year-old Belgian midfielder, who has one year remaining on his contract with Manchester City, is now waiting for an agreement between the two clubs to finalize the transfer. De Bruyne has expressed openness to the move, citing the ‘incredible amounts of money’ on offer in the final stages of his career.In other transfer news, Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri has accepted a proposal from Fenerbahçe and is set to undergo a medical examination in Istanbul next week. The transfer from Sevilla is expected to cost around €25 million, with En-Nesyri signing a four-year contract. Additionally, Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, 36, has signed a one-year contract with Hajduk Split in his home country’s top league.
Key points
- Barcelona is close to signing Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao for €58 million.
- Rafa Márquez has left his position as Barcelona B coach to join the Mexican national team.
- Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree that Rafa Márquez is leaving to join the Mexican national team, there are slight variations in his exact role, with some stating he will be an assistant coach and others implying he might have a more significant role.
