Aston Villa ‘ready’ to buy £43m Liverpool target as forgotten Wolves man ‘wanted’ across Europe

Aston Villa are ready to advance with an audacious move to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, according to a reputable report in Spain.

The 20-year-old has established himself as one of the brightest talents in La Liga, gaining interest from all across Europe, including from Liverpool.

It was widely reported in January that Unai Emery made Williams his number-one target, even matching the bargain £43 million release clause.

At the time, however, the player was said to turn down the transfer to finish the season with Bilbao. Things could go differently now, though, after Villa’s qualification for Europe.

Marca claims Williams, who has one year left on his contract, has a “renewal offer” from Bilbao but “seems closer to packing his bags for the Premier League”.

The report states Villa would be willing to offer the wonderkid around £115,000 per week after missing out on Marco Asensio and Kang-In Lee to Paris Saint-Germain.

Already a full Spain international, Williams enjoyed a brilliant season in La Liga with six goals and five assists in 36 appearances. He also netted three times in the Copa del Rey.

Meanwhile, Wolves defender ‘wanted’ across Europe

In other West Midlands transfer news, Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly at a crossroads when it comes to left-back Ryan Giles, who will soon return from his loan at Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old recorded some of the best chance creation statistics in the Championship last campaign, including 11 assists in 45 appearances.

Now, a decision needs to be made about Giles’ future as he will need to be guaranteed game time after missing just one league match for Boro last term.

If Julen Lopetegui decides Giles is surplus to requirements, then there’s more than enough interest to send him packing – including from across the nearby continent.

“We get calls from all over Europe about him,” Matt Jackson, Wolves’ strategic player marketing manager told The Athletic this week.

“A lot of times, clubs play 4-3-3 and they want to play him in either of the wide positions in that formation. Teams playing old-fashioned wingers definitely covet him as well.”

Giles, who can also play as a left winger, has made just one senior appearance for Wolves despite breaking through the youth academy all the way back in 2018.