Aston Villa plot insane hijack for £49m Newcastle United target who ‘ripped up’ Euro 2024

Aston Villa are poised to make a move for in-demand winger Nico Williams, according to reports.

Newcastle United are one of several Premier League clubs linked with the Spain superstar, who netted the opener in the Euro 2024 final against England. Athletic Bilbao want to keep Williams but are powerless should an interested party trigger his £49million release clause.

The club president, Jon Uriate, outlined his desire to keep the 22-year-old last week. He said: "Nico, a player who is committed to Athletic, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner while at the European Championships. 

“Respect between all the actors who make up football is a fundamental basis - or that's how we view it at Athletic - which does not include subjecting players with contracts at one club to public pressure to join other clubs. There are no limits to Athletic's aspirations. 

“We are demonstrating that we have an attractive project, a winning project for our players and our coach. Athletic are financially, socially and, in sporting terms, capable of keeping players of the calibre of those named in its structure, including Nico."

But TeamTalk claim Villa are set to swoop in and approach the wideman ahead of a potential summer move. Record signing Moussa Diaby only arrived last summer and is understood to be close to joining the Saudi Pro League.

That would leave room for Williams to make the Villa Park switch, with Unai Emery’s men also offering Champions League football. As for Newcastle, they remain interested in a right-sided attacker, although the Bilbao star prefers to play on the left.