TBR Football can exclusively confirm what sources are saying about the current transfer situation of Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams amid links with Arsenal.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their ranks this summer, particularly in attack, and Williams is very much on Arsenal’s radar.
However, Williams is one of the most highly sought after players in world football this summer in the wake of his heroics for Athletic and for Spain.
Barcelona are keen on signing Williams, while Bayern Munich are also in the race for Williams. And Athletic are hoping to get Williams to pen a new contract.
TBR Football can reveal what’s happening with Williams right now and what Arsenal have done in pursuit of the Spaniard.
Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all held talks over Nico Williams in recent days
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Nico Williams’ representatives are meeting and holding talks with a number of clubs – they have indeed met with Barcelona.
Barcelona want a wide player with Williams always seen as a ‘dream’ target whilst they have also had talks about Marcus Rashford, Luis Diaz and Rafa Leao.
Williams has never hidden the fact he would love to join Barcelona and he has even considered waiting until 2026 if it meant joining them – but there is the prospect he could join this summer.
Williams is holding talks with Athletic Bilbao over a possible new deal, but we understand that Arsenal and Bayern Munich have been holding talks “in recent days”.
Both Bayern and Arsenal have been in contact with Williams constantly since January.
The foreign suitors have long suspected that Williams was not keen on leaving Spain, despite assurances from his representatives that he was.
Two other Premier League suitors were previously in the picture for the Spaniard, but it doesn’t look as though Arsenal need to worry about them for now.
Liverpool and Chelsea were previously in touch about Williams, but they have since turned to other options – Liverpool landing Florian Wirtz and Chelsea going for Jamie Gittens.
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Could Nico Williams stay put with Athletic Bilbao?
Bailey has exclusively told TBR Football that Athletic believe there is a good chance he snubs all of his suitors and pens a new deal at the San Mames.
“Does Nico Williams want to leave Spain? That is the question that Arsenal and Bayern Munich still don’t know the answer to,” Bailey began.
“There remains a suspicion within football that the only club he has ever really wanted is Barcelona.
“However, it is far from a done deal, with Barcelona holding talks with a number of targets.
“Bilbao also believe there remains a good chance that Williams signs a new deal with them that would include a release clause.”