(Reuters) – Barcelona fans have been contributing symbolic amounts of money to the club’s official TikTok account in an effort to support the LaLiga side secure the signing of forward Nico Williams.
The 22-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger became a major transfer target for top European clubs as he was one of the most exciting players in Spain’s seven-match winning run at the European Championship.
Williams, who scored two goals including the opener in Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the final, showed a promising partnership with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, named the tournament’s best young player.
Barcelona fans are now eagerly pushing for a Yamal-Williams attacking duo as they send funds to the Catalan club, which has faced financial challenges in recent times.
“Sign Nico”, “We 100% need Nico” and “For Nico Williams” are some of the comments with donations on Barcelona’s most recent TikTok videos.
According to Transfermarkt, Williams’ current market value is 70 million euros ($76.29 million), while the Spanish press has reported that Athletic set his release fee at 58 million.
Despite the goodwill of the Barca fans, the donations, labelled as “rewards” on TikTok, would not be of much help for the club as they range from 5 cents to one Euro, with the social network retaining a large part of the funds.
Barcelona, who finished second in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals last season, have not signed any players so far during the summer transfer window.
($1 = 0.9176 euros)
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Chris Reese)
