Sources: Burnley close to beating Aston Villa to signing Williams from West Brom after talks
Burnley are the driving seat to beat Aston Villa to the signing of West Brom starlet Harry Williams, Football Insider understands.
The defender, 18, has been on trial at Villa after being told he will be released by Albion when his contract expires this summer.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Burnley have made a move to beat their Premier League rivals to Williams' signature by holding talks and putting together a contract offer.
The Clarets' interest in the young centre-back is strong and there is growing hope they can win the race for his signature.
Burnley made the first move for Williams and he went on trial at the Lancashire outfit after learning he was being released by the Baggies ahead of his contract expiring next month.
Villa have also been assessing the youngster at close quarters as they looked into luring another rising star from their Midlands rivals.
Williams played the full 90 minutes at centre-back for Villa in their 2-1 Premier League 2 win against Newcastle United last Friday.
But they currently lag behind West Brom and the player is increasingly attracted by the prospect of a move to Burnley.
During his trial at Turf Moor, Williams played in a 2-0 Premier League 2 victory for their Under-23s against Reading last month.
The 6ft 3in defender has made only one age-group appearance for West Brom since January and that came at the end of last month.
Williams joined the Baggies in 2018 on a scholarship deal.
The teenager has yet to make his senior West Brom debut but has played for the club in the EFL Trophy as well as being a regular for their youth teams.