Newcastle United are making transfer plans for 2024, and have their eye on Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams.
The Magpies want to sign another winger and a centre-back next year, having massively enhanced their squad and built towards the future in 2023.
The Toon owners’ project is really taking shape, as Eddie Howe builds a young and exciting side that is hopefully capable of challenging on multiple fronts. We will find out how true that is over the next couple of weeks when Newcastle balance Premier League action with the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Further investment in the future is needed, and that is why the Magpies are eyeing up a move for Williams.
He was a target for the club at the start of 2023. The 21-year-old was identified as an alternative to Anthony Gordon, who ended up swapping Everton for Newcastle.
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But the deal for the Scouser did not end Newcastle’s interest in Williams, and it has since been reported that the Magpies are considering an approach for the Spain international in 2024.
Williams proved during the international break why he would be such an exciting signing for Howe, but his current employers Athletic Bilbao are hatching a plan to stop him heading to Tyneside.
Athletic Bilbao want Nico Williams to sign a new contract
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Newcastle are closely following Williams, as are Barcelona, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
However, the report states that Bilbao want Williams to sign a new contract at the San Mames. They hope to tie him down for another two or three years.
Williams’ current contract, which includes a £43million release clause, expires next summer, which means Bilbao could lose their most valuable asset for absolutely nothing. Therefore, they must be absolutely desperate for Williams to sign a new deal.
Newcastle will be watching closely, hoping they get a chance to tempt Williams to the North East. He is an incredibly exciting player with ‘marvellous speed‘ in the eyes of Luis Enrique, and that pace could make him a real star in black and white alongside the likes of Gordon and Alexander Isak.