Newcastle United will be relying on Anthony Gordon in the Champions League yet again, but Athletic Club will be without one of their superstars.
It is Newcastle United vs Athletic Club at St James’ Park on Wednesday night, with Anthony Gordon aiming to continue his bright European form after four goals and one assist.
As for Athletic Club, they will be without Nico Williams. That is a major blow for the La Liga outfit, who are also missing Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet.
However, it is Nico Williams’ absence that will be felt the most. He is their star player, and someone who the Newcastle United owners considered bringing to the club in January 2023.
Nico Williams in action for Athletic Club.
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Newcastle United wanted to sign Nico Williams as an Anthony Gordon alternative
Midway through the 2022/23 season, Newcastle United decided they needed to sign a winger.
Newcastle bought Anthony Gordon, with the Scouser arriving from Everton for £45million. It was a difficult deal to do, but Amanda Staveley’s negotiating talent resulted in Gordon arriving at St James’ Park.
However, he was not the only attacker that the Magpies had on their radar.
The Athletic reported in February 2023 that Williams was Newcastle United’s alternative to Gordon. He was an overseas target with no Premier League experience, but his potential was clear for all to see.
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Ultimately, Eddie Howe brought in Gordon. That has proven to be a great decision, with the 24-year-old blossoming into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous left wingers.
However, there is no doubt that Williams would have been exceptional too. He has taken his game to even greater heights since the Magpies’ initial interest, playing a key role in Spain winning Euro 2024.
He scored in the final of that tournament against England, while Gordon was an unused substitute for the Three Lions.
Why Newcastle United failed to sign Nico Williams after continuing to monitor him
Newcastle United squandered their best chance in signing Williams by going for Gordon in January 2023. That should not be looked back upon as a mistake given what Gordon has achieved, but it is certainly a ‘what if’ moment.
While the Magpies did not buy Williams in January 2023, they did not stop scouting him either. He remained a target, with the speedster on Newcastle’s radar heading into 2024.
They were back in the market for a winger, and Williams was clearly a player who the club had done a lot of work on and could make the Newcastle United squad better.
However, Newcastle’s interest in the summer of 2024 came after they had failed to qualify for Europe. Following that moment, Newcastle knew they could not sign Williams. They did not have the lure of Champions League football, nor the financial capacity to match his wage demands.
That summer saw Newcastle fail to make any major signings, with their winger search put on hold for 12 months. 2025 saw no fresh approach for Williams, with Anthony Elanga arriving from Nottingham Forest for £55million.
Now his side Athletic Club are opponents of Newcastle United, but Williams is missing out on the chance to show what he could have brought to St James’ Park.