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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barcelona will meet €58m release clause</li><li>Raphinha: "He's a player of the highest quality"</li><li>Brazilian in running for Ballon D'or after stellar season</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'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

<p>The Blaugrana are closing in on a deal for the Athletic Club winger, with club president Joan Laporta confirming Barcelona will pay <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-barcelona-trigger-nico-williams-release-clause-next-week-despite-agreement-sign-athletic-bilbao-winger/blt15af4359f970a96f" target="_blank">the player's €58m release clause</a>. 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.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>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. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20250627/1002490531/raphinha-le-abre-puerta-nico-williams.html" target="_blank">Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo</a>: "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.</p><p>“It’s no coincidence he’s [Williams] being considered to join Barcelona. He’s a player of the highest quality.”</p>

WHAT RAPHINHA SAID

<p>More mud slinging, most likely. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/athletic-club-la-liga-spanish-barcelona-nico-williams/blt67baed6108d3f95f#csb81bde04364fdf4e" target="_blank">Athletic are attempting to block the deal,</a> appealing to LaLiga about Barcelona's creative accounting practices, while Laporta's has asserted his club <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/we-have-nothing-to-hide-joan-laporta-says-nico-williams-transfer-audit-is-no-problem-amid-athletic-club-attempt-to-block-deal/blt415d7c711b54a59d#cs6f691e583e7708e6" target="_blank">do not fear an audit of their finances in response</a>. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-williams-mural-in-bilbao-vandalised-again-just-hours-after-artist-repainted-athletic-club-barcelona/bltac171eac4faed0e2" target="_self">A mural of Williams in Bilbao has now been vandalised twice</a>, 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.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'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 | Goal.com

Raphinha has sung the praises of Barcelona transfer target Nico Williams, despite the pair potentially battling for a starting spot in the future.

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