Aston Villa are reportedly willing to pay the €50m release clause to prise Nico Williams away from Athletic Bilbao, but face competition from Arsenal.
The 20-year-old has come through the youth ranks in Bilbao and enjoyed his most productive campaign yet last season with nine goals and six assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
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Further, he now has eight caps for Spain and so the expectation is that he has a bright future ahead of him. Question marks have been raised over his future in Bilbao though, with his current contract set to expire in June 2024.
In turn, a decision is arguably needed this summer as to whether he pens a new deal or not, with the La Liga side likely to be open to a sale if the answer is no in order to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing in 12 months time.
According to local outlet Bilbao Hiria, Williams is perhaps edging towards leaving, with both Villa and Arsenal said to be willing to pay his €50m release clause.
However, given the Gunners can offer him the immediate opportunity to play in the Champions League, it remains to be seen if that gives them a decisive advantage, albeit given the level of competition in their squad in the attacking positions, Williams would undoubtedly be a more pivotal figure under Unai Emery and a regular starter.
The Villa boss made no secret of his desire to sign a right-sided winger in January, and although he found a short-term solution in Bertrand Traore, that is likely to be a position he prioritises this summer to improve the squad.
It’s added in the report above that a decision is expected this month on which way Williams’ future goes, with his family having a key role to play while there is no doubt that there is a strong attachment to Bilbao and so staying can’t be ruled out.
From a Villa perspective though, with his pace, technical ability, creativity and eye for goal, he would be a top signing to bolster our attacking options ahead of next season, and with speculation linking us with the Spanish international for months now – with the Daily Mail noting we were turned down in January – it does feel as though he has emerged as one of Emery’s top targets as he looks to stamp his mark on this Villa squad.