The 2023 summer transfer window is officially open and Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are hoping to cook ahead of their return to Europe.
Spanish outlet Marca have reported on Wednesday (14/06/23) that Unai Emery is ‘determined’ to sign Athletic Bilbao winger, Nico Williams and make him Aston Villa’s club-record signing.
At this moment, Emiliano Buendia is the club’s record signing following his £38 million switch from Norwich City during the summer of 2021 (Sky Sports).
But if Villa gets their hands on highly-rated Spanish star Williams, then it will be smashed, because it has been suggested that he has a £50 million release clause in his contract.
What’s encouraging for fans is that Marca reports that Williams is closer to ‘packing his bags’ and jetting to the Midlands, rather than signing a new contract at Bilbao, which is on the table for the 20-year-old.
Williams would be an outstanding purchase for Villa
It isn’t a surprise that Villa are fishing in the La Liga and the Spanish market for players because it seems as though that’s the road they want to go down.
Following the departure of Christian Purslow as CEO, it has been suggested that Sevilla’s transfer king, Monchi, is edging closer to becoming the club’s new Sporting Director.
Monchi and Emery worked together during his trophy-winning time at Sevilla, so bringing in players from a market you are experts in isn’t a surprise.
But the capture of Williams is needed and it’s a signing that would signal Villa’s intent that they aren’t just here to look at the bright stars, but push on again and win trophies.
Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore are Emery’s out-and-out wingers, but the latter only returned from his loan spell in January, whilst the former has struggled with consistency.
Either way, competition is needed and Williams, who is one of Spain’s rising stars, brings that in bucket loads because he has pace to burn, as well as outstanding ability on the ball and amazing composure for someone so young.
If Villa break their club-record transfer on the all-action forward, then don’t be surprised if they push that boat out again because the suggestion is that huge sums of money will be spent this summer.
And why not? You have a manager in the dugout that has brought the whole club together in such a short space of time and, added to his trophy-winning record, he has proven this season that he can be trusted with whatever he wants.
