TBR Football can exclusively confirm the latest around Arsenal’s interest in Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams.
Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta are looking to strengthen their attacking ranks this summer, and Williams has firmly been on Arsenal’s radar.
However, competition for the Spain international has been particularly fierce.
Barcelona are keen on signing Williams, while Bayern Munich are also in the race. Meanwhile, Athletic are hoping to get Williams to pen a new contract.
Now, TBR Football can reveal what Williams has decided to do and what has been communicated to Arsenal – and sadly, it’s not good news for the Gunners.
Athletic Bilbao and Spain star Nico Williams
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Arsenal target Nico Williams now ready to join Barcelona
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Barcelona are working on financing a deal for Nico Williams this summer, ending all hopes that Arsenal have of landing the Spaniard.
Williams has long been Arsenal’s first choice to be their new wide attacker this summer, and they have kept in constant contact with the Athletic Bilbao star.
Williams’ camp has insisted to Arsenal, along with Bayern Munich and others, that he was considering leaving Spain this summer but as TBR Football previously revealed there was always the suspicion that he did not want to leave.
However, we can now confirm that Arsenal have been made aware that Williams has held fresh talks with Barcelona about a prospective move and that he is ready to move to the Camp Nou alongside his good friend Lamine Yamal.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool held significant interest in Williams too but we are told they both informed Williams some months ago that they would not be pursuing him this summer as they did not believe he was ready to move to England.
As it stands Williams’ personal terms are not a problem and Barca are hopeful that Bilbao will agree to instalments on his release clause, although it is not a huge clause.
It’s our understanding that the clause stands at just over €60million (£51.2million), and that Barcelona are comfortable with personal terms.
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Most successful dribbles in the past two La Liga seasons:
◉ 231 – Lamine Yamal
◉ 154 – Nico Williams
◎ 147 – Vinícius Júnior
◎ 130 – Takefusa Kubo
◎ 121 – Alberto Moleiro
Teammates for Spain, teammates for #Barca? 🔜 pic.twitter.com/jspDHNQXQf
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 17, 2025
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Other wingers Arsenal could move for instead of Nico Williams
And so, it looks like Arsenal’s dwindling hopes of signing Williams are now over, so they’ll need to turn their attention elsewhere.
Arsenal are also looking at Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, but it has been reported that Xabi Alonso does not want to let the Brazilian go.
Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo is sought after by Manchester United and Tottenham, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will pursue him.
Other wingers the Gunners could potentially look at over the coming weeks include Rafael Leao, Jamie Gittens and Antoine Semenyo.