Ex-Barcelona chief makes big Marcus Rashford claim after Nico Williams transfer decision

Former Barcelona club president Joan Gaspart believes that Nico Williams' decision to reject them was a blessing in disguise - because Marcus Rashford is a 'better player'. Williams, 23, was in talks to join Barca from Athletic Bilbao last month, with the Spanish champions willing to pay his £43million release clause after missing out on him a year ago.

But negotiations began to stall when Barcelona were unable to guarantee the Spain international immediate registration with La Liga. In recent years, new signings at Barca have had to wait weeks in some cases before being able to play league matches.

Joan Garcia, who Hansi Flick's side paid £21m for earlier this summer, still isn't registered amid Barcelona's well-documented financial woes. Nor is Rashford, who completed a season-long loan move from Manchester United last month.

Gaspart reckons that the 27-year-old is better than Williams, who 'used' Barca to earn himself a huge 10-year contract which includes an increased release clause of £86m. During an interview with Dario Sport, the ex-Barca chief said: "For me, Marcus Rashford is a better player than Nico Williams, and I don't care what his brother (Inaki) says.

"He [Nico] used us, but in a 'good way'. and he got good contract in Bilbao. I'm happy for him. However, I do not understand the anger from Athletic Club, I signed many players from them in the past including Andoni Zubizarreta and I always go along well with the president."

Meanwhile, current Barcelona president Joan Laporta is 'confident' that Rashford will be registered in time for the 2025-26 campaign, with the man himself enjoying his time on their pre-season tour of Asia. "We're ready for the season to start," Rashford commented.

"It's been a good pre-season. It's been good to integrate into the team. I've enjoyed getting used to the team, used to the coach. There is a lot of great players but I knew that before I came here."

Would Nico Williams have been a better signing than Marcus Rashford? Have your say in the comments section.

"The quality is very high, the intensity is very high and this is what we need to continue having throughout the season. Hopefully we can go one step further than last season and win the Champions League."

On his chances of staying permanently, as Barca have the option to sign him for £26m at the end of the upcoming season, Rashford replied: "I'm not thinking about next season," he said. "I want to do the best thing for the team whilst I'm here and then we will see."

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