According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are in the race for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. Ten Hag wants to add a forward to the team and the Spanish winger has attracted his attention, but the Manchester side will face a challenge from rivals Liverpool.
Nico Williams has featured in all of Bilbao’s games this season across all competitions. He has made 13 starts in 14 appearances in the La Liga this campaign so far, scoring three goals and four assists (stats via Transfermarkt). He also scored a goal during the Spanish team’s first round win in the Copa del Rey.
Erik ten Hag is looking to bring in reinforcements to strengthen his team in the January transfer window. The attacking department is certainly one that needs additions, especially after the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo and the young Spanish forward is a potential option. Manchester United are presently fifth in the league and bookies worldwide are offering favourable odds as seen on casino bez depozytu on them finishing within the top four this season. Reinforcements during the January window will be crucial to securing that.
According to Fichajes (via MEN), Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams. Initially Liverpool were scouting the 20-year-old’s progress, but the Spanish outlet now reports that the Red Devils have also joined the race.
Both Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp have noticed the stellar season the youngster is having and have subsequently put him on their shortlist. With Sadio Mane leaving Merseyside for Bayern Munich, the German would welcome Nico Williams as a potential future star, while Jadon Sancho’s form has been a concern for the Manchester United manager.
However, both the English clubs are probably wait till the summer before making any move for the Spaniard. The Spain international’s current contract expires in June 2024, but the Basque club could be tempted to sell the winger next summer.
Player Analysis
Nico Williams is the younger brother of Spanish star Inaki Williams who has been plying his trade in La Liga for years with Bilbao. Nico broke into the Bilbao side last season and made forty appearances (stats via Transfermarkt). The La Liga club value their youngster at £35 million, but the transfer fee could rise after the Qatar World Cup.
He is a fast and direct player and has fine dribbling abilities to beat the opposition defence. This has been his breakout campaign with four goals and four assists in fifteen appearances so far. As he gets more seasons under his belt, he will develop into a stronger player with a better skillset.
❤ 𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙍 𝘿𝙀 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙈𝘼𝙉𝙊𝙎 ❤
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🦁 @willliamsssnico#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/1vP1o8WkyN— LALIGA (@LaLiga) November 18, 2022
The Spaniard prefers to play as a right-winger where he has excelled but can accommodate at left-wing or centre-forward as per the need. The 20-year-old has been praised for his ball control and pace, although he is still growing in terms of adapting to a tactical system and tracking back for defensive phases.
Man United have improved their front line with the signing of Antony from Ajax, who has scored a goal in each of his first three games (stats via Transfermarkt). With Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the club on mutual consent, Ten Hag can replace the Portuguese with some youth options that will bring some more flair to the side.
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Nico Williams has impressed most people in his brief young career and his form for Bilbao was recognised with a call-up to Spain’s World Cup squad. The Red Devils and Liverpool sent scouts to watch the youngster in action at the Qatar World Cup and now we have to see whether he gets a January transfer window move or not.
Ten Hag has had the reputation for building youth into world-class players during his Ajax days and this could convince the Spaniard to join the project at Old Trafford. With his contract expiring in 2024, Bilbao will take a close look at the offers to maximize the profit of his sale.