Hint given that £47m superstar is staying at his current club after Newcastle United rumours

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Newcastle United still need to sign a right winger this summer.

The leading candidate to arrive right now is Noni Madueke, with Newcastle United showing an interest in the Chelsea attacker.

It has been reported that Newcastle are considering an approach for Madueke, who is tumbling down the Chelsea pecking order following the arrival of Pedro Neto. He is another player who the Magpies have targeted, but he has taken his talents to Stamford Bridge.

A lot of the wingers that Newcastle have been linked with have either gone elsewhere or have proven to be unattainable. Pedro Neto falls into the former category, as does Michael Olise. He was Eddie Howe’s top target, but is now a Bayern Munich player.

As for Nico Williams, he falls into the latter category.

Fresh hint that Nico Williams is staying at Athletic Bilbao

Newcastle United were linked with signing Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao heading into this summer’s transfer window.

He looked like a dream addition to Eddie Howe’s squad, and Williams proved that with his performances at Euro 2024.

If anything, he proved himself to be beyond the Magpies. It has been reported Newcastle accept they cannot afford Williams’ wages, as he goes in search of a major pay rise if he is to leave current employers Athletic Bilbao.

It had looked like a move to Barcelona was on the cards, but even that appears to be out of the question. It has been reported that Williams is now expected to stay at Athletic, while he has provided a further hint that he is staying put.

Ahead of the new La Liga season, it has been revealed that Williams has a new squad number. The 22-year-old will now wear the number 10 shirt, taking on Iker Munian’s jersey following his departure.

Newcastle missed their big chance to sign Williams

To some people, it is just a number but the fact that Williams has been given the number 10 jersey is a fresh indication that he is staying at Athletic Bilbao.

In truth, the chances of Newcastle signing him have got slimmer and slimmer throughout the summer.

A £47million move to St James’ Park has not looked likely a for a while, which is a major shame. Williams is the type of game-changer that Eddie Howe needs, but financial reasons mean a deal is not possible.

But with Williams staying put, he will likely be available again in the future – possibly next summer. That could present Newcastle with an opportunity, if they fail to sign a winger before August 30th.

However, it feels like Newcastle’s best chance of signing Williams has been and gone. That came in January 2023, when the Magpies lined him up as an alternative to Anthony Gordon.

Fortunately, Gordon has blown fans away in a Newcastle United shirt – it just a shame he is not getting the chance to do it alongside Williams.