Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to challenge Aston Villa for Athletic Club Bilbao star Nico Williams, according to El Mundo.
The Villans were keen on signing the winger in the winter market and reportedly offered him a deal worth €6-7m per year. He rejected it and despite the January disappointment, Unai Emery’s side ‘will try again’ for the 20-year-old after this season.
In the event Aston Villa fail to secure the player’s services again, Wolves want to jump in and try to seal a deal in the summer.
It’s claimed Julen Lopetegui ‘wants to take’ the Spain international to Molineux next season. The Wolves coach plans to reshape his squad at Wolves and has identified the attacker as one of the targets.
Aston Villa and Wolves would face competition from Liverpool as they are also in the mix for the player. Jürgen Klopp thinks of him as a ‘medium-term replacement’ for Mohamed Salah.
Williams’ contract lasts until 2024 and includes a €50m release clause. Athletic have offered him a new deal worth €3m per year, which is half of what Aston Villa have offered him.
El Mundo state he’s ‘determined not to renew’, meaning the next window will be the La Liga side’s last big chance to cash in from his sale.
With Aston Villa, Wolves and Liverpool chasing Williams and him not signing an extension, a transfer could be on the cards in the summer.
Williams has eight goals and six assists from 34 matches this season.
