Spurs looking to hijack Chelsea’s €70m deal for Spanish superstar | OneFootball

Spurs Step Up Ambitious Move for Nico Williams as €70m Bid Emerges

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up one of the most eye-catching moves of the January window, with senior recruitment figures exploring the possibility of bringing Nico Williams to north London. The Athletic Bilbao winger, long admired across Europe, has attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs — but Spurs’ decision to match a €70million proposal from a domestic rival has pushed the conversation into new territory.

Spurs Reassess Left-Wing Options

With the post-Son Heung-min landscape proving difficult to resolve, Tottenham have reached a point where a significant investment on the left side feels increasingly likely. Thomas Frank has tested various internal options without finding a stable solution, prompting links to several candidates across Europe.

Targets such as Antoine Semenyo, Ademola Lookman and Maghnes Akliouche have featured in recent scouting cycles. Yet the emergence of Williams as a realistic possibility represents a notable shift in ambition. The Spain international has compiled 49 goal contributions across 91 appearances from the left flank — numbers that place him among the most productive young wide players in European football.

Market Reality Meets Transfer Hype

Reports from Spain claim Spurs have moved to match a €70m bid believed to have originated from Chelsea, adding fresh intrigue to the chase. There is, however, considerable scepticism surrounding the source of those claims, and the level of detail warrants caution.

Bilbao’s stance further complicates the picture. While the Basque club could be tempted by a sizeable fee, Williams’ long-term contract — running to 2035 — places the power firmly in their hands. His current salary, reported at £263,000 per week, only sharpens that difficulty. Any Premier League side looking to sign him would need to overhaul their wage hierarchy, with the deal likely making him Tottenham’s highest-paid player by a significant margin.

Suggestions that clubs are prepared to triple his wages are unlikely to align with the standard operating models of either Spurs or Chelsea, raising questions about the accuracy of parts of the reporting.

Why Interest Remains Despite Obstacles

Even with the complexities involved, Tottenham’s interest is not without foundation. Bilbao are drifting away from Champions League contention and a quiet winter window may prompt Williams to reconsider his long-term future. The winger has previously expressed enthusiasm about the Premier League, and the opportunity to join a project undergoing strategic reshaping could appeal.

Spurs’ majority owners, ENIC, have injected an additional £100m ahead of January — funding that has already influenced recruitment planning. Should Tottenham decide they are prepared to re-calibrate their wage structure in line with the club’s evolving ambitions, Williams would represent a transformative signing.

Liverpool have also monitored the player in past windows, though there is no immediate indication of concrete movement from Anfield at this stage.

Wider January Context at Tottenham

As attention builds around the club’s left-wing search, other areas of the squad continue to prompt discussion. With Manchester United circling Antoine Semenyo and Tottenham linked on multiple fronts, the coming weeks promise to be busy.

Internally, reports of an urgent hunt for a new first-choice goalkeeper have been downplayed. Midfield planning is also underway, with the potential departure of Yves Bissouma accelerating the need for options.

Spurs’ recruitment team now face decisive calls. Whether the club chooses to push forward with an audacious move for Williams, or pivot to more attainable targets, will help define the direction of the winter window — and perhaps the pace of Tottenham’s broader rebuild.