Unai Emery ‘confident’ of landing Liverpool target as Aston Villa ‘prepare’ summer bid

Aston Villa are reportedly set to revive their interest in Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams, with a second bid to land the winger planned for the summer transfer window. Unai Emery was so keen on bringing the 20-year-old to Villa Park last month that a club-record bid was tabled but to no avail.

The player rejected a January move in favour of staying at Bilbao, but the situation could change at the end of the season as Emery is hoping to build something special in B6. Now up to 11th place in the Premier League, the Villans are just a point or two behind the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool with a European qualification race potentially on the cards.

The Daily Mail reports Villa remain determined to sign Williams, who was part of Spain’s World Cup squad in Qatar, as Emery wants to sign a marquee winger. The Lions are reportedly willing to activate Williams’ £45 million release clause once again, having already done so in January.

It is hoped that the wonderkid, who is still the Lions’ number one priority, will be convinced by a strong end to the season at Villa Park. There is some concern, however, that Bilbao could offer Williams an improved contract, revoking the release clause and upping his price.

Premier League rivals Liverpool could also throw a spanner in the works as they are said to be another club interested in the player. Williams has been a key player for Bilbao this season, scoring three goals and contributing five assists in 20 La Liga appearances. He has also netted three times in just five Copa del Rey matches this term.