Aston Villa are refusing to give up on a potential deal for Athletic Club star Nico Williams and are continuing to monitor him after already trying to sign him.
That’s according to AS, who say Aston Villa are one of several sides who ‘insist’ on signing Athletic’s rising star.
The newspaper explains that every week, the siren songs echo with his name underlined in red. Aston Villa are one of those who are keen on him and ‘continue to pay attention’ to his situation after already ‘testing’ him this summer.
They’re aware that from January onwards the player is free to negotiate with whomever he would like as his contract is set to expire next summer.
Athletic are working hard to ensure they don’t lose him on a free transfer and the negotiation to renew his deal has been ongoing for weeks.
The various parties are talking little by little to tie up the fringes of a deal and bring their positions closer, and there is a clear plan on that front.
The idea is to get the player to sign a new deal that is ‘not very long’ and does not excessively increase his current release clause from the current €50m figure.
It’s a formula the Spanish club have used before, having tied Aymeric Laporte up to such a deal before then selling him to Manchester City.
He eventually pushed for that transfer, and it remains to be seen if Williams does the same, particularly as he has consistently made it clear he is happy where he is.
He has suitors circling and Aston Villa are one of them, continuing to watch from the sidelines after their failed attempt this summer.
