BREAKING: A disclosure of £186.7 million hints at the truth, despite the fact that Newcastle is well aware of the ‘horror’ transfer aim

Newcastle United will not have been taken aback by Nico Williams’ success at Euro 2024, as they have been closely monitoring the Athletic Bilbao star for an extended period. Joselu has provided insights into his Spain teammate.

Any full-back in the world can be left with “nightmares” by Nico Williams.

That is the assessment of Joselu, a former Newcastle United striker, following the rapid performance of the Spain international at Euro 2024. This assessment is not unexpected to anyone on Tyneside. After all, Newcastle has been monitoring Williams for an extended period of time, and they even entertained the possibility of making a transfer 18 months ago. Having been directly involved in 25 goals across all competitions last season, the Athletic Bilbao star has continued to develop rapidly since that time.

“When we encountered him in La Liga last season, we immediately recognized that he was an absolutely exceptional player,” Joselu stated to the Athletic. “In every match against Athletic Bilbao, we conducted an individual analysis of him.” His one-on-one skills are particularly hazardous, and he has recently incorporated the creation of opportunities and the netting of goals into his repertoire. Every full-back in the world can be left with nightmares by Nico.

Despite the fact that Newcastle has maintained cordial relationships with Athletic’s senior management and has monitored Williams’ advancement, it is important to acknowledge that the 21-year-old has been in high demand and occupies the left wing, a position that the Magpies have since fortified by signing Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon last year. Williams would be able to command higher earnings elsewhere, even if Newcastle activated his proposed €58 million release clause.

For instance, Marc Cucurella, Williams’ teammate from Spain, has acknowledged that he has been encouraging him to “join Chelsea,” while Pedri has expressed his desire for the forward to join Barcelona. The Catalan giants are grappling with their own financial challenges; however, club president Joan Laporta has stated, “From an economic standpoint, we could possibly commit to the signing of Nico Williams.” I am a fan of Nico; I have a strong fondness for him.

Conversely, Newcastle’s fourth-placed finish in 2022/23 was all the more remarkable due to the fact that eight Premier League clubs spent more on salaries than the Magpies (£186.7m). Eddie Howe has previously acknowledged that the black-and-whites are “not huge payers of wages” in comparison to their top-flight rivals.

Conversely, Newcastle’s fourth-placed finish in 2022/23 was all the more remarkable due to the fact that eight Premier League clubs spent more on salaries than the Magpies (£186.7m). Eddie Howe has previously acknowledged that the black-and-whites are “not huge payers of wages” in comparison to their top-flight rivals.