Former Athletic Bilbao sporting director Rafa Alkorta has criticised FC Barcelona for their handling of the transfer situation involving Spain international Nico Williams.
Williams, who is of Ghanaian descent, is widely expected to join Barcelona this summer after an impressive season with Athletic Club.
The Catalan giants are reportedly prepared to activate his €58 million release clause, but the manner in which the negotiations have played out in public has drawn the ire of Alkorta.
Speaking on El Larguero, Alkorta expressed his frustration with the way Barcelona have managed the situation.
“The Barça issue has me a little tired. Last year they already did it and I didn’t understand the play very well,” he said.
“But what happens now seems incredible to me. Let Deco come out saying that the player wants to come… they are leaving him in a very complicated position.”
Alkorta criticised the lack of discretion from the Catalan club, adding that their leaks to the media have unfairly placed Williams under pressure.
“What Barça said seems fatal to me, what Deco said. How little tact Barça has had with this matter from the beginning!”
He further noted the impact such leaks have on the player’s image and decision-making, suggesting that Barcelona’s public overtures have compromised Williams’ ability to control the narrative.
“All of us who play football know how things work… but it seems unprecedented to me how Barça did things last year, and how it is doing them this year. “At the moment, the only thing I know is that Nico is an Athletic.”
