Both Bayern Munich and Arsenal are in for Nico Williams this summer, whilst his current club fight to keep him. Alongside his countryman Lamine Yamal, he is one of the most exciting and sought-after wingers in the world and, whilst he has a reasonable release clause, his salary requests will likely be the defining point in this saga.
Arsenal Suffer Nico Williams Blow With Bayern Munich Approaching
£50 Million Release Clause But High Salary Requests
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Bayern Munich have entered the race for Williams, already meeting his representatives twice this month. “More meetings will follow”, as he is their desired target for this summer. However, he is also “top of Arsenal’s list”, who will compete with the Bavarians.
A £50 million release clause is available for his suitors, a fairly reasonable price for one of the world’s best young wingers. The “key difficult point” will be his salary requests. Athletic Club will fight to keep their man by offering him a new contract, creating a three-way bidding war. The Gunners will likely have to cough up some hefty wages if they intend to beat their two competitors.
Nico Williams Fixes Arsenal’s Striker Problem
It has almost become a cliche to say that Arsenal’s biggest problem is that they need a proper number nine. But what if this isn’t true? Signing Williams, a left-winger, could fix their striker problem without forking out an £85 million fee for the likes of Hugo Ekitike like Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool intend to.
Arsenal’s striker problem has been largely criticised in the last two years. However, the 2022/23 season was arguably their best shot at winning a league title: despite finishing four points adrift, they looked set to win it before William Saliba’s injury. That season was the last time that Mikel Arteta had no attacking woes, and yet they didn’t have a perfect number nine. Instead, an ensemble of Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka all netted 14+ each in the Premier League.
Read More: Arsenal ‘Now Advancing’ in Talks for ‘Perfect’ Player: Fabrizio Romano Breaks Week-Long Silence
If Williams could replicate Martinelli’s form, Odegaard returns to his best, and Saka stays fit, then a striker is not necessary thanks to the spread of goals across the team. Furthermore, the Spaniard’s runs in-behind are perfect for enabling a Kai Havertz to perform in a false nine role. Williams could be Arteta’s answer and help the whole team thrive.
