Club “working hard” to keep player as Aston Villa remain ‘on the prowl’ – President comments on transfer situation

Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte has insisted they are working hard to get Nico Williams signed to a new contract and keep him away from the likes of Aston Villa.

The president has speaking on Gol TV, relayed by AS, regarding the forward who is being coveted across Europe.

Williams is one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football and has a long list of admirers as a result, particularly as his current contract is set to expire in 2024.

That means he is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with teams around Europe from January, meaning clubs are licking their lips at the prospect of securing a top talent on the cheap.

Aston Villa are one of those who are keen, with numerous reports across the summer making it clear they were interested and had even made a bid to try and convince him to join them.

That never happened but a report earlier this week made it clear Aston Villa, who AS say are ‘on the prowl’ for the player, were refusing to give up just yet.

This is something Uriarte is seemingly aware of, and he has insisted the club are working hard to ensure the forward signs a new deal.

“Nico, like his family, Iñaki, his mother, are very happy in Bilbao,” he said.

“They love Athletic. They love our project. We are working hard on both sides so that he can stay.”