On Friday, El Correo reported Aston Villa will have a third chance at getting Nico Williams after the Athletic Club Bilbao star turned them down on two occasions in the past. The winger’s deal expires in 2024 and the La Liga side are keen to extend it.
They have renewed Unai Gómez’s contract until 2028 and the focus is now to tie Williams down to a new deal.
That’s according to El Correo, who also mention Aston Villa’s interest when explaining the Basque club’s plan to renew the 21-year-old’s contract.
The Athletic board have realised that the ‘greatest threat’ to their sporting future comes from Williams’ situation, considering that he has been probed by Unai Emery’s side and Barcelona.
In order to fend off the interested parties, the Spanish club have realised that the attacker’s contract renewal is a priority and all efforts must be focused on it.
There’s hope the Spain international’s renewal will be announced shortly after the two parties moved closer.
Mundo Deportivo also explain that Williams’ renewal is ‘almost close’ and Athletic hope to announce it before the end of this month.
It’s claimed Athletic started to work on his renewal after being ‘aware of the danger’ from the Premier League and the La Liga, where Aston Villa and Barcelona are keen to sign Williams.
The newspaper claims his current deal has a €50m release clause and it could remain the same with the new contract.
Mundo add there’s been suggestions that the renewal will last until 2026 and if there’s an increase in the clause, it won’t be beyond €60m.
Even if it’s at €60m, this may not be enough to fend off Aston Villa, as long as the player is in favour of joining them.
