ASHLEY PREECE FROM BIRMINGHAM MAIL
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has rejected a stunning £45m approach from Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old is admired by Unai Emery, who had hoped to make the Spanish international Villa’s club-record signing, smashing the previous one set by Emi Buendia for £38m back in 2021.
But according to Mail Sport, Williams has also turned down Villa’s £120,000-a-week contract, instead opting to remain at the Basque club, who are currently eighth in LaLiga.
Who is Nico Williams?
The Spaniard is rated as one of the top prospects in his homeland and in Europe and, last year, made his international debut for Spain. He’s since won six more caps and featured in every game at the World Cup.
Born in Pamplona, northern Spain, to Ghanaian parents, he joined Athletic Bilbao’s academy in 2013 as an 11-year-old from hometown club CA Osasuna. In 2019, Williams stepped up to begin his senior career at Bilbao’s feeder club, Basconia while, a year later, he was promoted to Bilbao’s B team, Bilbao Athletic, where he scored eight goals and registered seven assists in 18 appearances. His LaLiga debut followed in April 2021 in the 2-2 draw against Real Valladolid.
Williams has an older brother, Inaki, who’s eight years Nico’s senior. Inaki has followed the exact same path as his younger sibling and, to date, has 80 goals from his 361 appearances for Bilbao’s first team.
Both Nico and Inaki were born to Ghanaian parents, with the latter since declaring for Ghana.
Where does Nico Williams play?
He’s an out-and-out winger who’s comfortable playing on both sides. This season he’s started in all but one of Bilbao’s 22 games. Williams is quick, tricky and, at times, devastating, scoring five and assisting four this season.
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