Although Arsenal wanted to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club this summer, the Gunners were always aware that it wouldn’t be easy.
Mikel Arteta has admired Nico Williams’ talent for more than a year now, a player he’d love to see on the left wing for Arsenal.
However, Williams is very happy in Spain with his boyhood side Athletic Club, and it’s long been believed that the winger would only leave for Barcelona.
But earlier in the summer, Williams’ agents suggested a move to Arsenal could happen — the Spaniard was willing to move to the Premier League.
However, that stance has seemingly now changed, and Williams is no longer an option for Arsenal.
In fact, The Athletic have just reported that Arsenal have cooled their interest in Williams considerably, a move to north London now doesn’t appear to be on the cards.
Of course, Arsenal did meet with Williams this summer, meaning they’ve invested considerable time in pursuing a potential deal.
Rodrygo Goes celebrating after scoring a goal for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
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But it’s now time to move on, and Arsenal should apply the lessons they have learnt when chasing a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who should now be the focus of the club’s attention.
Right now, Arsenal are monitoring Rodrygo’s situation — they’re waiting to see how things unfold for the Brazilian at the Club World Cup with Real Madrid.
But instead of applying the same ‘wait and see’ tactics, Arsenal should now immediately test the waters for Rodrygo by tabling a bid for the £68m-rated star.
Premier League rivals Liverpool are already on the cusp of sealing a difficult deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, and Arsenal need to apply the same kind of urgency.
Andrea Berta can’t waste Arsenal’s opportunity to buy Rodrygo
We’re still very early in the summer — there’s plenty of the transfer window left to go, but Arsenal might still miss their opportunity to sign Rodrygo if they don’t make an approach now.
If Arsenal sit patiently and wait for Rodrygo to assess his own situation in Spain then they might reach July or even August with no real prospect of signing any of their top left wing targets.
Arsenal are also keen on Anthony Gordon at Newcastle United, but a deal for the Englishman is probably just as unrealistic as one for Williams.
Rodrygo is perfect for Arsenal — as Thierry Henry has already explained.
And to some extent it’s time for Arsenal to get their elbows out, they shouldn’t wait to find out if Real Madrid are willing to sanction a deal, rather they should act on their own ambition.