Aston Villa are said to be in a three-way race with Barcelona and Liverpool to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed he is aware of growing transfer interest in the player, one of La Liga’s most highly-rated young talents.
However, with his contract at Estadio San Mames set to expire in 2024, the Basque club could face difficulties in their efforts to keep hold of the academy star.
According to Spanish media outlet AS Diario, Aston Villa are among a handful of clubs lurking on the outside in pursuit of Nico Williams, although the youngster is very happy at Athletic Bilbao and is a key part of the project.
Ernesto’s Valverde project.
Williams, 21, has started the 2023/24 season extremely well, recording four assists in as many La Liga matches.
A torn muscle while on international duty with Spain caused the winger to miss Bilbao’s 3-0 win over Cadiz at the weekend.
Aston Villa have had a great summer transfer window, adding five more players to their squad.
Despite not really having a spectacular start to the season, the club has full faith in Unai Emery to turn things around, as he did when he replaced Steven Gerrard before the World Cup in Qatar last year.
Under Emery, with the help of improved transfer funds and strong ownership support, Aston Villa have returned to Europe, and although it hasn’t been a great season so far, but Saturday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at home steadied the ship.
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For the Villans to continue moving in a positive direction, it is essential that they continue to support the coach in rebuilding the team according to his own vision, while continuing to bring in top quality recruits.
It appears Emery has already started planning for the January transfer window, with Athletic’s Nico Williams rumored to be on Villa’s radar.
Villa don’t really need to add a winger to their ranks as they already have Moussa Diaby, Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore, but if they can sign one of the best young talents in Europe with favorable rates in January, so why not?
Since making his Bilbao debut in the 2020/21 season, Nico Williams has so far scored 23 goals in 89 appearances for the first team.
Originally a right-winger, the Spain international has played on the left this season, something Villa may look to look for next year if they intend to sell Traore.
Signing a talented young right-winger with huge free-agent potential, especially a player with the ability to get fans out of their seats, would be a great deal for Villa if they succeed – depending on the outcome of his contract.
situation in Bilbao in January.
