MX23RW : Saturday, September 28 19:06:05| >> :120:6992:6992:

Real Madrid 'join the race for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams'

Real Madrid 'join the race for Athletic's Nico Williams'
© Reuters
Real Madrid join the list of clubs interested in signing Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, according to a report.

Real Madrid have reportedly registered their interest in Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams.

The 21-year-old came up with four assists in his first four La Liga appearances of the season, but he has missed his side's last two league games due to injury.

Williams's future is currently the subject of much speculation, as his contract at San Mames is due to expire next June.

Manchester United and Liverpool are believed to lead the Premier League interest in the Spain international, while Barcelona are currently being heavily linked with his services.

A recent report claimed that Barcelona had been in touch with the forward's agent to discuss a possible switch to Camp Nou next year.

Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams in action with Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo de Paul on February 19, 2023© Reuters

According to Sport, Real Madrid are also firmly in the race for a player who could potentially be available on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

Los Blancos are at a disadvantage, though, as foreign clubs, as it stands, would be able to discuss a pre-contract with the Athletic attacker at the turn of the year.

The Lions are currently in talks with Williams over an extension, though, and it is widely thought that a new deal will be signed with an affordable release clause.

The Spaniard's current buy-out fee is thought to be around €50m (£42.9m), and Athletic forward Ernesto Valverde recently played down suggestions that the player could be on his way out.

Nico Williams celebrates scoring for Athletic Bilbao in January 2022© Reuters

"The noise around Nico happens when there are players who stand out, especially with young people because they are valued much more for the potential they may have in the future," he told reporters.

"It is something fictitious. There is a lot of talk about one player, then another, then another, and everything calms down as time goes by. We hope that Nico will be here with us for a long time."

Williams has scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in 89 appearances for Athletic in all competitions, including six goals and nine assists in 76 La Liga appearances.

The forward largely operates on the right, but Real Madrid are, as it stands, no longer a team that play with wingers, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti largely using a 4-3-1-2 formation with Jude Bellingham operating behind a front two.

ID:525093:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4236:

Click here for more stories about Nico Williams

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams in action with Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo de Paul on February 19, 2023
Read Next:
Man United, Liverpool 'to rival Barcelona for Nico Williams'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa5401107312
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs52129547
11Manchester UnitedMan Utd52125507
12Brentford6213810-27
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Everton6114715-84
16Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
17Crystal Palace603359-43
18Ipswich TownIpswich503238-53
19Southampton501429-71
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!