Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a keen interest in signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, according to reputed journalist David Ornstein.
The Gunners have signed David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori this summer and they are expected to announce the arrival of Mikel Merino very soon.
A wide attacking player could be the next priority and speaking on Duncan Castles‘ podcast, Ornstein said that Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy ‘really like’ Williams.
However, a deal is far from straightforward due to various reasons. Ornstein mentioned that the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona are also admirers of the 22-year-old.
He added that any interested club would have to pay his £49 million release clause in full while his really high salary (£171,000 per week) would only increase.
He said: “In the past, there was Pedro Neto, who Arsenal decision-makers were big fans of. The one that Mikel Arteta & those involved at Arsenal really like is Nico Williams, but he’s the apple of everybody’s eye such as Chelsea and Barcelona.”
“The problem there is he’s already on a really high wage, which would only increase when he comes to a league such as the Premier League & a release clause in his contract that would need to be paid in full. It would appear he’s going to be staying.”
Arsenal can make big statement with late Williams deal
The Gunners have had a quiet summer transfer window by their high standards. They were fancied to go on a spending spree to boost their chances of winning the Premier League.
However, nothing of that sort has happened. The club have been conservative with their spending and have focused on landing players, who can add more quality and depth.
Williams, who made 27 goal contributions from Athletic last term, would be a fantastic acquisition but the big question is whether the club can persuade him into a transfer first.
The Euro 2024 winner is an assured starter at the Basque outfit and Arteta may need to guarantee him a starting role on the left wing ahead of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Meanwhile, Arsenal may have no room for negotiations with the La Liga club and will have to trigger the buy-out clause. Williams could also demand around £250,000 in weekly wages.
This is not an impossible task, considering the club did something similar four years ago. Thomas Partey was signed from Atletico Madrid after his £45m release clause was triggered.
The Ghanaian star went on to sign a £200,000 per week deal on his arrival.
Arsenal can make a big statement by luring Williams before the August 30 deadline. In our view, they could make a late swoop on deadline day to avoid any possible hijack.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
