Reported Arsenal target Nico Williams has been urged to sign for Real Madrid. The 22-year-old was linked with a move to the Gunners over the summer after impressing for Athletic Club last season and with Spain at Euro 2024.
Williams has not been as effective this season, scoring twice and adding five assists in 20 appearances across all competitions, but he is still on the radar of several European clubs. The Spaniard has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and was valued at around £60million in the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta's side were in the market for a new wide forward and had identified Williams as a potential target. However, the Gunners instead decided to sign Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea and chose against going for Williams, who also had interest from the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea.
But former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has now admitted he is hoping Williams turns down any potential move to Arsenal in favour of former club Real Madrid.
Mourinho's Fenerbahce face Williams' Athletic in the Europa League on Wednesday and the Portuguese ushered some serious praise on the forward ahead of the game. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mourinho said: "In the Euros, people were all saying [Lamine] Yamal, Yamal, Yamal. He's a wonderful boy, but I, personally, prefer more of Nico Williams. I hope he ends up at Real Madrid."
It remains to be seen whether Real will need another winger, especially one that prefers the left, with Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe fighting over that position at the moment. Carlo Ancelotti has used Mbappe through the middle and Vinicius Jr on the left most of the time when both have been available.
Meanwhile, Williams spoke about his future in October. "I'm not thinking about my future now. I’m so happy to be at Athletic, fans are happy too," Williams told El Mundo. "Bilbao is my home, I’m really happy and I want to enjoy it here. I want to bring Athletic at the best level. The dream is that Europa League final at San Mamés."