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Arsenal and Chelsea are set to miss out on one of their reported transfer targets.
Arsenal came up short with their bid again last term and will be desperate to get over the line this time around. In fact, Mikel Arteta might just have to if he wants to remain comfortable in his position, with Arsenal likely to ask questions if no silverware is delivered after what will be another summer of big spending.
As for Chelsea, they met their expectations last season, securing Champions League qualification and a fourth place finish, as well as winning the Conference League, but Enzo Maresca will want - and will be expected to - take another step forward this coming season and be involved in the title race.
Both London clubs are expected to spend big this summer to aid their respective missions, and both clubs were linked with a move for Athletic Club and Spain superstar Nico Williams. Both in need of a winger, Williams emerged as an option amid the expectation he will leave his boyhood club this summer.
Williams is one of the best wingers in the world, and available for just £49.5million, the deal is an attractive one, albeit the clause must be paid with one upfront payment. Arsenal and Chelsea have not acted on their reported interest, however, and it now looks as though Williams will go elsewhere.
Fabrizio Romano has posted on X: “Nico Williams and Barça have agreed personal terms on 6 year deal! Agreement sealed on player’s contract until June 2031 with the salary in the region of €7/8m net per season. Barça are currently working on financial terms to get deal done with Athletic.”
The news should come as no surprise given Williams’ desire was to remain in Spain, and he is known to be a real homebird, hence his decision to stay in Bilbao last summer despite having options to leave. At Barcelona, Williams will be just over an hour’s flight away from Bilbao, where his family still live.
He will also get the chance to take his career to the next level, joining the current La Liga champions in Barcelona. The Blaugrana will now have a monster squad, particularly when it comes to attackers, boasting Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. Williams is very close friends with Yamal, and the pair played a central role to Spain winning Euro 2024 last summer. They will now link up on a regular basis at Camp Nou.
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