Athletic Club star Nico Williams has been denied a second Arsenal transfer audition against Manchester United tonight in a Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.
The Spaniard has been strongly linked with a move to Emirates Stadium over the last 12 months, as Mikel Arteta looks to sign a new attacker. The Gunners' manager is a huge fan of the 22-year-old with that admiration present even before his scintillating displays with Spain at Euro 2024, football.london understands.
The 2024/25 campaign has been mixed for Williams to say the least, though, with 11 goals and seven assists to his name from 44 appearances in all competitions.
Athletic Club have still enjoyed an impressive campaign, and currently sit fourth in La Liga, while also being in the Europa League semi-final. Unfortunately, being in the final at their home stadium currently looks unlikely with Man Utd three goals up from the first leg.
Williams played 79 minutes of that match-up, but failed to make an impact with Ernesto Valverde's squad hugely impacted by Daniel Vivian being sent off in the first half. Athletic Club have a mountain to climb and that task has been made even steeper by two new injury blows emerging.
Top-scorer Oihan Sancet was ruled out of the first leg because of a muscular issue and he's not recovered in time to feature in the second leg, as confirmed by Athletic Club announcing their travelling squad on Wednesday.
Interestingly, Williams and brother Inaki are also absent, with the latter not named because of his hamstring injury. There has been no clarity provided on his younger sibling, but it could be related to the minor problem picked up in April that saw him miss Athletic Club's clash against Real Madrid.
His absence is unlikely to hugely impact Arsenal or their transfer interest in him, but it would have been nice for some to see him up against Premier League opposition.
The Gunners still appear to be deciding on their priority targets for a number of positions with Bryan Mbeumo, Ademola Lookman and Jamie Gittens also under consideration out wide. Williams may well top that list, but his significant wage demands continue to be somewhat of a stumbling block.
Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak appear as their main striker targets, while a deal for Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is in a good place.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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