FC Barcelona forward Raphinha publicly endorsed the club’s pursuit of Athletic Club Bilbao winger Nico Williams, describing the Spain international as a player of “very high quality” who would be “welcome” in the Catalan dressing room. Speaking on 27 June during a promotional event in São Paulo, the 28-year-old captain said any footballer arriving with a strong work ethic would be accepted by the squad. Barcelona have been in contact with Williams’s representatives over a long-term deal running to 2031, according to Spanish and Brazilian reports. The club is expected to activate the 22-year-old’s €58 million release clause after Athletic indicated it does not wish to negotiate, while the proposed salary is understood to range between €7 million and €8 million per season. Raphinha insisted he feels “psychologically and physically” strong after what he called the best season of his career and is unconcerned about increased competition for places under new coach Hansi Flick. “It is no coincidence Williams is playing for Spain and is being considered for Barcelona,” he said, adding that the priority is reinforcing the team ahead of pre-season in two weeks.