Liverpool and Aston Villa are among the clubs exploring a deal to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams on a free transfer next summer.

Williams’ current contract expires at the end of the season and a host of sides are monitoring his situation with the Spanish side. The 21-year-old has shone since breaking into the first-team at Bilbao and has earned 10 caps for Spain since his senior debut in 2022, scoring twice.

Barcelona are said to be interested in signing the winger as a free agent, but reports from Spanish publication AS state the Catalans could face competition from the Premier League.

Aston Villa have previously been linked with a move, while Liverpool are considering the winger amid interest in Mohamed Salah from the Saudi Pro League. Salah will have just 12 months remaining on his Liverpool contract at the end of the season.

Athletic Bilbao are keen to agree a new contract with the highly-rated Williams, whose older brother, Inaki, is a current teammate and has made 387 appearances to date in a one-club career with the Basque side.

The club’s president, Jon Uriarte, has said Bilbao have not given up hope of persuading Williams to sign an extension.

“Nico, like his family, Iñaki, his mother, are very happy in Bilbao,” he said.

“They love Athletic. They love our project . We are working hard on both sides so that he can stay.”

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The post Liverpool and Aston Villa chase free agent Williams first appeared on The Football Faithful.