Aston Villa ‘set to miss out on Nico Williams as striker will sign new deal with Athletic Bilbao’
Aston Villa ‘will miss Nico Williams as striker will sign new contract with Athletic Bilbao’ but his £42m release clause remains intact
Aston Villa are on the verge of missing out on Nico Williams as the winger has agreed to sign a new contract with Athletic Bilbao.
Villa has been closely linked with a move from the Spain international, but he remains with Athletic, where his current contract had only one year left.
As reported by Cadena CopeWilliams’ £42 million (€50 million) release clause remains intact and it seems likely he will leave next summer.
Williams was eager not to run out of his contract and leave for free.
The 20-year-old has played 85 games for Athletic so far, scoring twelve times and providing seven assists.
Aston Villa are missing out on the signing of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams
Villa manager Emery was eager to secure the Spain international’s signing
Unai Emery has made a big impression at Villa since his appointment last November, leading the club to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League.
Villa already brought over Youri Tielemans from Leicester for free and other important newcomers may also join the club this summer.
Emery is trying to bring in Villarreal defender Pau Torres, a player he has previously worked with.
Torres has a £55.5m buyout clause, but Villa are looking to secure a deal for around £35m.
Aston Villa are looking for a bargain for Villarreal defender Pau Torres
Liverpool, Tottenham and Bayern Munich are also admirers of Torres.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have scouted Villa striker Ollie Watkins ahead of a potential move.