The deadline for the January transfer window passed on Tuesday night and Aston Villa allowed it to slam shut without getting involved in any last-minute mayhem.
Unai Emery and Johan Lange opted against any moves on the final day of the window after bringing in left-back Alex Moreno and striker Jhon Duran earlier in the month, but the two signings they did make were not the only acquisitions on their wishlist.
One player the club failed to get a deal over the line for was Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams. Villa were reportedly ready to pay the gem’s £45m release clause but the 20-year-old opted to remain in Spain for the time being, instead of making a mid-season switch away from his home country.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the attacker could be on the move at the end of the season, telling GIVEMESPORT: “The expectation of those close to Nico Williams is for the player to leave, possibly in the summer. So at the moment, the situation is still complicated.”
This claim from Romano indicates that Villa could get a second chance with the Spain international heading into the 2023/24 campaign. He may not have wanted to depart from Bilbao midway through the season and Emery could have more luck in convincing the dynamo to make the switch to Villa Park in the next transfer window.
The Spanish head coach could strike gold by securing a swoop for Williams in the summer as the talented youngster has immense potential and could be a fantastic long-term signing for the Villans.
Despite not turning 21 until July, the winger has already played 66 times for Bilbao’s first team and has been capped seven times by Spain at international level – notching once for his country.
The 20-year-old talent has caught the eye in LaLiga this season with three goals and four assists in 18 starts for Bilbao – creating 1.2 chances per game for his teammates – with scout Jacek Kulig hailing him as being “on fire”.
He has also produced three goals and one assist in five Copa Del Rey appearances this term and these statistics show that the youngster already has the maturity and quality to make a big impact in the final third at senior level.
His form this season comes after just two goals and one assist in 38 outings in LaLiga and the Copa Del Rey in 2021/22 which shows the Spaniard has developed and improved his game as he has gained more experience at the top level.
Now, imagine how good the forward could be with a number of Premier League seasons and Emery’s coaching under his belt.
Signing Williams could be a terrific long-term investment by the club with the youngster having showcased quality and scope to develop in his short career to date and that is why the Villans boss could strike gold by bringing him in during the summer window.
