Arsenal are monitoring a move for Nico Williams.placeholder image
Arsenal are monitoring a move for Nico Williams. | AFP via Getty Images
Andrea Berta is set to prioritise a transfer for a winger after adding a midfielder and striker to the Arsenal squad.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is said to be launching a ‘concrete push’ to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams after it emerged that Bayern Munich were in a position to activate the player’s £53 million release clause.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for several months and is thought to be the type of player who could slot into Mikel Arteta’s side seamlessly. Williams is not short of potential suitors with Chelsea also linked, as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
The Euro 2024 winner still has another two years left on his deal at Bilbao but could see a move given the green light given the existence of that £53 million release clause.
Arsenal look to make ‘concrete’ transfer push
Williams is a product of the Bilbao youth academy and won the 2024 Copa del Rey with the club. He’s made 167 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals and registering 30 assists for the team.
The winger was part of the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament and the 2025 Europa League Team of the Season. He has been named the La Liga Player of the Month twice, in August 2023 and December 2023.
Sport, as relayed by CaughtOffside, claim that a ‘concrete push’ is coming from Berta and Arsenal to sign the player. Bilbao are said to be aware of transfer interest in the player and are working on a new contract offer. The Gunners believe a quick activation of Williams’ release clause could work in their favour.
Bayern Munich are also still strong contenders to sign the player and have had ‘several meetings’ between Williams’ agents and Bayern sporting director Max Eberl. Last week journalist Christian Falk issued an update claiming the clause will be no issue for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich rivals for Nico Williams
He wrote on his Daily Briefing: “Nico Williams is actually the top target for Bayern. Bayern have already met with Williams’ team. Max Eberl is said to have met with the representatives around the Nations League final in Munich. The transfer fee of €60m is not a problem.
“Bayern can pay the clause. It's all about the salary at the moment. Are Williams' expectations really as high as recently reported? €24m, as rumoured, would be the absolute upper limit for Bayern. But there could be a problem with time. Eberl has to sell players first. The club is therefore currently looking for buyers for Kingsley Coman. So far, however, there has been no concrete offer from Saudi Arabia. The player would go there for a high salary.
“The Bayern bosses are trying to get a head start in the poker. You already know that Nico Williams is also on Arsenal’s and Chelsea’s radar. But his club, Athletic Bilbao, is also trying to convince him to stay, wanting to give him a higher salary and a new contract.”
In other news, Arsenal's £32m signing 'expected' to leave for just £10m with three clubs keen.
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