'Player of the highest quality' - Raphinha backing Barcelona to sign Nico Williams and believes Spain star would be 'good for the team' despite potential battle for starting berth

The Blaugrana are closing in on a deal for the Athletic Club winger, with club president Joan Laporta confirming Barcelona will pay the player's €58m release clause. Despite long-term interest in the player by the Catalonian giants, the move comes of something as a surprise given the excellent performance of Raphinha on the left side of the attack last season.

The Brazillian has excelled in the attacking triumvirate alongside Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, scoring 34 goals an contributing 22 assists in all competitions in 2024/25. Raphinha has quashed any suggestions of a potential issue with his new running mate, saying any player that wants to contribute to Barça's success is ok with him.

Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo: "Any player who comes to the club to contribute is welcome. Anyone who comes with the mentality of working hard is good for the team.

“It’s no coincidence he’s [Williams] being considered to join Barcelona. He’s a player of the highest quality.”

More mud slinging, most likely. Athletic are attempting to block the deal, appealing to LaLiga about Barcelona's creative accounting practices, while Laporta's has asserted his club do not fear an audit of their finances in response. A mural of Williams in Bilbao has now been vandalised twice, as this saga continues to rumble. At least Raphinha is behaving with some level of grace, extending a warm welcome to his potential new team-mate.