Arsenal are likely to strengthen their squad in the 2025 summer transfer window following the arrival of a new sporting director in Andrea Barta. There is now an interesting update on their desire to make a move for Spanish winger Nico Williams.
Arsenal Hold Initial Transfer Talks With Athletic Bilbao Winger Nico Williams
Which Clubs Will Arsenal Compete With For Williams Signing?
The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has reported that the Gunners are now actively exploring a summer move for the 22-year-old in the summer. It’s claimed that one of Barta’s first acts since arriving at the club was to hold initial talks with Williams’ agent, Felix Tainta, over the possibility of signing him after the 2024/25 season is over.
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The journalist adds that the London side has actively scouted Williams for the last two years and tried to sign him in the 2024 summer window, only for him to decide to stay with his boyhood club for another year.
Aarons also states that the Spaniard is expected to push for an exit in the summer and that the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Barcelona are in the race to sign him. It’s also claimed that Williams has a release clause of around £48.4 million, which any side could trigger.
What Are Arsenal’s Plans For Summer Window?
The Gunners look to be serious in their desire to add more quality and depth to their squad in the summer. Mikel Arteta gave an exciting update on his side’s plans for the upcoming transfer window, stating: “It’s going to be a big one (summer) and we are very excited about it. Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary. But it’s a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.”
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It looks like Arsenal want to make Williams one of their prized summer signings to add more explosiveness to their frontline. It is being reported that they might need to entice him with a lucrative contract offer and pay him £220,000-a-week wages to convince him about a move. Williams, who played a key role in helping Spain win Euro 2024 and even scored in the final against England, has nine goals and seven assists in 38 appearances for Athletic Bilbao so far this term.
