Barcelona sporting director Deco has explained why the club opted to sign Dani Olmo from Leipzig in the summer transfer window instead of Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
The Catalans were heavily linked with Williams throughout the summer, and club president Joan Laporta even stated that they could afford to sign the Spanish international.
However, Barcelona surprised many by splashing out on Olmo instead.
In an interview with Barca One, Deco shed light on the club’s decision. He emphasized the need for a high-level winger to bolster their attacking options, given the return of Ansu Fati from injury and the presence of players like Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal.
According to Deco, Dani Olmo’s versatility was a key factor in their decision. He highlighted that Olmo could play on either wing or even as a central midfielder, offering more tactical flexibility for the team.
Deco: "Why did we sign Olmo? Because Dani is the midfielder we didn't have. There was a lot of quality, but Dani was a player we lacked. Who plays very well between the lines, has goals, associates very well with forwards. Fermín can do a little of that, but they are different.… pic.twitter.com/zAOshtNydw
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) September 10, 2024
While Barcelona did explore other options, they ultimately prioritized signing a player who could make an immediate impact and fit seamlessly into their squad.
While many fans were disappointed that Nico Williams didn’t join Barcelona, the club’s sporting director has made it clear that they were impressed by Dani Olmo’s qualities.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Catalan giants utilize their new signing and whether their decision to prioritize Olmo over Williams will pay off.
