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On the face of it, last season looks to have been a poor one for Nico Williams, with his stats having dipped from the season before.

However, such was Athletic Bilbao's desire to reach the Europa League final, with it being played in their own stadium, that Williams played his most games in a single season yet.

He was playing with a groin injury which ultimately forced him to miss Bilbao's Europa League semi-final second leg against Manchester United, plus five La Liga games towards the end of the season.

Williams also played six games for Spain during the course of the season and was able to recover in time for the Nations League semi-final and final.

He finished with two goals and an assist from four games during Spain's Nations League campaign but may require surgery on his groin issue during the summer.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Graham: Hi Phil, with the under-21 European championships taking place, I noticed Everton being linked to French striker Thierno Barry. He looks very promising. What would your thoughts be on Everton going for a young prospect? Or should they splash the cash on someone like Dusan Vlahovic?

Hi, Graham. Barry does look a decent prospect and Everton need a striker with Dominic Calvert-Lewin looking like he is leaving and Beto never totally convincing.

Unless Everton find a guarantee with an experienced operator at a decent price, then I can see them going for a younger player who can develop. And would Vlahovic fancy a move to Everton? I’m not so sure.

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A winger who favours the left flank, Nico Williams is as comfortable getting down the line and providing crosses as he is cutting inside and going for the goal himself.

He has made 167 appearances for Athletic Bilbao, claiming 31 goals and 30 assists. After establishing himself as a regular starter in 2021-22, Williams really began to make an impact the following season. Here are his stats for Bilbao over the past three seasons:

• 2022-23: 43 games, 9 goals, 4 assists
• 2023-24: 37 games, 8 goals, 18 assists
• 2024-25: 45 games, 11 goals, 7 assists

Williams has also played for Spain 28 times, claiming six goals and seven assists. He shone during their run to the Euro 2024 final, scoring his second goal of the tournament as Spain beat England 2-1 in the final.

The Athletic

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Another player that Chelsea, as well as their London rivals Arsenal, have admired for long is Nico Williams.

But according to the Athletic's David Ornstein,, external the Premier League duo have now cooled their interest in the Athletic Bilbao attacker.

The Spain winger has been targeted by many top European clubs and Barcelona and Bayern Munich are emerging as more plausible destinations if the 22-year-old chooses to leave Bilbao.

He has a release clause of about £51m, although Williams has also been offered a contract extension by Bilbao.

But anything can happen during a transfer window and he could very much end up in England come the deadline day of 1 September. So, let's go in-depth on the prodigious Spain winger.

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Chelsea have reportedly made a verbal enquiry for Lyon's young Belgian winger Malick Fofana.

The 20-year-old has one international cap for his country and scored 11 goals and created six assists in 41 appearances during the 2024-25 season.

According to the Athletic, Fofana "is among a number of options being considered and conversations are ongoing."

Fofana moved to the French side from Gent in January 2024 and has a contract with the Ligue 1 club running until 2028.

Fofana is considered as a replacement for Jadon Sancho, who returned to Manchester United after a season-long loan at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca's side are also interested in signing Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Dom, London: Hi Phil. Asking as an Aston Villa fan, what exactly do you think will be going on at Villa Park this summer? Are we in danger of PSR again and how could that limit our sustained push for more European football?

Hi, Dom. Villa will certainly have to trade smartly this summer to keep on the right side of PSR, and I do sympathise with those at Villa Park who almost feel it is a penalty for breaking the glass ceiling into the top four the season before last.

It required the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42m late on last August to ensure they were on the right side of PSR.

The fact they did not achieve Champions League football for next season is, of course, another blow.

There is already talk keeper Emi Martinez could leave, while Villa would part with Leon Bailey. Jacob Ramsey has been linked with Spurs, but Villa and their fans would find the sale of the talented local boy close to unpalatable.

Morgan Rogers is regarded as untouchable, but there will be sales.

What you can be sure of is that manager Unai Emery, and Villa’s ambitious hierarchy, will have a plan in place, but it would have been a lot easier had they been able to get Champions League football next season.

Villa are in safe hands and will remain competitive.

It's day two of the summer transfer window and we've been asking you to send in your questions to our chief football writer Phil McNulty.

We've had quite a lot so far so, here's another round-up of what he's had to say during the last hour or so:

• On former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders joining Man City - 'Lijnders arrival an interesting move'
• On Brighton transfer links - 'Others will try to take your best away'
• On Nottingham Forest having a quiet window - 'I think it is traditionally quiet until July these days'
• On what's to become of Spurs - 'It is a hazardous job predicting what will happen at Spurs'

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Just like Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga can play across the Newcastle frontline, if the Magpies decide to sign him this summer.

The 23-year-old Sweden international was predominantly deployed on the right wing by Nuno Espirito Santo last season but also played through the middle on occasions for a Nottingham Forest side that finished seventh in the Premier League.

Before Forest, Elanga featured in 26 out of Ralf Rangnick's 29 games in charge of Manchester United but Erik ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford hampered his progress at the club.

He left Manchester in 2023 after just one season under Ten Hag but has since flourished in Nottingham.

Elanga's directness has been a key aspect of Forest's attacks this season and there is no doubt that he would be able to replicate it, if Newcastle make a move for the winger.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Tom: Phil, as a Spurs fan I go into the window with the same resigned anxiety as ever, that the club will low-ball offers until the final week of the window in the hopes of getting a deal. Given that strategy and the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, I'd have not been surprised if people had tried to warn Thomas Frank off the Spurs job. With all that in mind, do you think the hierarchy changes in the boardroom and other high levels will change anything at the club, or are we doomed to "rebuild" every two years as has been the way since Pochettino was unceremoniously booted?

Hello, Tom. There does appear to be change behind the scenes, and Thomas Frank will have surely sought the necessary assurances before leaving Brentford.

There is already talk of a move for Bryan Mbuemo, Frank’s former player at Brentford, while Mathys Tel has been signed and sealed.

Will things really change at Spurs? Who knows?

It is a hazardous job predicting what will happen with Spurs. After all, chairman Daniel Levy sacked all the managers who failed to win trophies then also sacked Ange Postecoglou, the one who did.

I do actually think there is the basis of really good squad for Frank to work with, augmented by a couple of quality additions.

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Anthony Elanga

Age: 23

Current club: Nottingham Forest

National team: Sweden

Stats: A product of the Manchester United academy, Elanga's reputation has been on the rise since leaving Old Trafford in 2023. He has scored 11 goals and bagged 21 assists in 82 appearances since he joined Forest.

During the 2024-25 season, Elanga did not miss a single Premier League game for Nuno Espirito Santo's side - creating 11 assists and scoring six goals.

Update: According to the Telegraph, Elanga is also a long-standing target for Newcastle, who are aware of his asking price, which is thought to be around £50m.

"Forest, though, have denied that there has been any direct contact with Newcastle at this stage and want to keep the winger," the report said.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Alex: Morning Phil. Brighton fan here. Do you think there will be any movement on Kaoru Mitoma this summer and is there anything concrete in the links between Pervis Estupinan and Manchester United? Thanks.

Hi, Alex. Heard nothing on movement for either of those players, although it is pretty clear Newcastle United have a strong interest in Joao Pedro.

When you operate like Brighton, with such great work in the transfer market, then there is every chance others will try to take your best away. The same applies to clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford.

What also applies is that these clubs are wise enough to know this could happen and prepare for these eventualities.

Brighton are already making such moves by signing 18-year-old forward Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos in a deal worth nearly £30m.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Dave, Lincoln: Hi Phil, is Manchester City’s appointment of Pep Ljinders (and another former-Liverpool analyst in James French) a signal that Pep Guardiola is looking to move away from his signature style and towards the heavy metal style of Jurgen Klopp?

Hello, Dave. The arrival of Lijnders is certainly an interesting move, given how closely linked he was with Jurgen Klopp’s successes at Liverpool.

He called his book “Intensity” and this is certainly something Manchester City lacked last season, so maybe we can expect more of that this term.

Guardiola has always been open to introducing new ideas and voices into his backroom team so this is another one of those occasions.

He will stick to his successful strategy of possession, but maybe he does feel his team need to hear a new voice and play with more of the intensity that Lijnders sets so much store by.

Newcastle United

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Eddie Howe has been a big admirer of Joao Pedro for many years now.

In fact, he was on the verge of signing the Brazilian during the 2022 summer transfer window. Pedro was back then in the books of Watford and plying his trade in the Championship, having joined the Hornets from Fluminense in 2019.

But Newcastle decided to sign Alexander Isak during the summer of 2022 on a £63m deal, a club record.

Pedro can operate in a variety of positions in attack and has been used as a centre-forward, second striker, left winger and attacking midfielder by Brighton during the 2024-25 season.

Newcastle will also be hopeful that Brighton's addition of Greek youngster Charalampos Kostoulas would help them strike a deal for the 23-year-old Brazilian, who is known for his work rate.

Though they might still face competition from the likes of Chelsea for his signature.

Image source, Getty Images

Joao Pedro

Age: 23

Current club: Brighton

National team: Brazil

Stats: Pedro scored 10 goals and created six assists in 27 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season while also bagging nine goals during 2023-24.

He has also proved his credential in Europe during the Seagulls' Europa League campaign two seasons back, when he scored six goals in as many appearances to take the club to the knockout stages.

Update: The Telegraph reported yesterday that Newcastle are on the verge of opening talks with Pedro, who is valued at £60m. The Brazilian, who is now a priority target for the Magpies, is open to a transfer to Eddie Howe's side.

"There is a growing confidence that a deal can be done, although sources have stressed there is still a lot of work to do," the report said.

Newcastle United

Two players Newcastle have been heavily lined with in recent days are Brighton's Joao Pedro and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga.

Let's take a closer look at the attacking duo and also find out how they will fit in at Eddie Howe's side, who will be juggling domestic commitments with Champions League football next season.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Anon: Do you think Kyle Walker still has something to offer top-flight clubs like Everton?

I think he could offer Premier League clubs something, but not sure he is what Everton want or need as they try move into a new era with a new stadium and ambitious new owners in the Friedkin Group.

Walker, at 35, is near the end of his career but a club needing experience and a leader with a big voice and presence in the dressing room could be tempted.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Sam in Exmouth: Hi Phil. What's your take on the seeming silence coming out of Arsenal? Is "no news good news"?

Hi, Sam. No news is never good news for journalists like us, but I would take this “silence” to mean Arsenal are going about their business quietly, ensuring everything is in place to make the necessary signings and improvements to ensure they do not fall short again.

You’d certainly hope so wouldn’t you?

So – in your case – good news!

Harry De Cosemo
BBC Sport

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Newcastle, majority owned by Saudi Arabia's wealthy Public Investment Fund, do not want to be held to ransom over transfer fees.

The wage structure in place is strict too, and the club are being careful not to break it for a new recruit, while hoping Alexander Isak signs an improved contract.

There is a sense in the fanbase that Newcastle should look abroad for better value signings, having had previous success with Isak and midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

Soon to be free-agent striker Jonathan David is admired by the club. But a deal for the Canadian looks unlikely, despite sources telling BBC Sport that his wage demands have cooled the possibility of a move to Serie A champions Napoli.

Some exits are also possible, with midfielder Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff linked with moves away. The latter's future may hinge on Newcastle needing to meet a 'homegrown' quota for their Champions League squad.

Veteran striker Callum Wilson, 33, is in talks over a new contract with his deal set to expire this month.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin, Mansfield: Hi Phil, it seems that Nottingham Forest are very quiet on the transfer hunt, with all the rumours seemingly about outgoings rather than incoming. Do you think the uncertainty about Crystal Palace's European situation is playing any part in the slow start to the window and which way do you think Uefa will lean in their decision?

Hi, Kevin. I think it is traditionally quiet until July these days. Clubs can then start to get business done as the pre-season build up continues. I wouldn't regard things being quiet at this stage a cause for concern.

I’d never try to second guess Uefa, but I sincerely hope Palace are allowed to compete in Europe. They and their fans have earned it.

Harry De Cosemo
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

There are four key positions Newcastle want to improve - right wing, centre-back, striker and goalkeeper.

Their top targets are mostly Premier League-based, with Eddie Howe wanting to minimise the acclimatisation period for new signings, but this works against his desire for a quick start to the market.

Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo was earmarked as the main target out wide, but links to Manchester United and Tottenham have forced a re-think; similarly striker Liam Delap and centre-back Dean Huijsen, who the club also spoke to, joined Chelsea and Real Madrid.

After a late bid last summer, Newcastle have again enquired about Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga, as well as Brighton forward Joao Pedro. West Ham's Mohammed Kudus and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo are also of interest.

Talks with Burnley over a deal for 22-year-old England goalkeeper James Trafford are restarting after failed bids a year ago, but nothing appears close. Marc Guehi remains high on the list in defence.