Aston Villa are prepared to revive Unai Emery’s interest in Nico Williams. Even though the Athletic Bilbao winger snubbed a transfer to the Premier League team in the January sales.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports Aston Villa will again target a transfer for Williams this summer. Head coach Emery is desperate to get a new winger and considered the Athletic Bilbao ace his top target. But the 20-year-old was loath to leave in mid-season.
Yet Williams’ snub is unlikely to prevent Aston Villa from targeting his transfer from Athletic Bilbao during the off-season. The Birmingham outfit are keen to back Emery’s plans as the Spaniard seeks to reshape the club. So, they will sign players better fitting to his approach.
Athletic Bilbao may also be in a weaker position to demand Aston Villa pay Williams’ £50m release clause. The Pamplona native is only under contract at San Memes until June 2024. The winger earned a senior contract last January after meeting clauses in his previous deal.
It is possible that Athletic Bilbao look to convince Williams to sign another new contract to fend off interest, too. Liverpool also tested the waters to sign the forward this January, per AS. But he remained faithful to the Basque outfit having given him the platform to deliver.
Athletic Bilbao’s Williams is a perfect match with Emery’s ideal Aston Villa signing
Emery viewed Williams as Aston Villa’s top winger target in the January transfer window as the 6ft Athletic Bilbao product is a perfect match with the head coach’s desired profile. He wants the Villans to sign a tall, athletic and pacey wide option to improve his existing side.
Williams, who turns 21 on July 12, has also already enjoyed 67 first-team appearances with the San Memes outfit. He has scored nine and assisted seven goals, as well, including three and five respectively in 20 La Liga games this season. He has started in 19 of those outings.
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