Arsenal are reportedly on alert as one of their long-term transfer targets is considering moving in the summer.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted with how things are going for his side this season. They remain in contention to complete the quadruple after making it into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a win against League One side Wigan Athletic.
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The Arsenal boss will hope that by the time the summer transfer window rolls around, he has a lot of silverware to his name, but looking ahead, there could be a lot of change to Arteta’s squad, as several players are running out of contract.
One name is Gabriel Martinelli, whose contract is due to expire in June 2027, meaning if they don’t sell him this summer, he could leave for free. The Gunners could opt to sell him, and replace him with one of their key targets.
Arsenal and Barcelona on alert for Nico Williams
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer, but instead, he signed a mega 10-year contract with the La Liga side, and Arsenal opted to sign Eberechi Eze instead.
However, it is still understood that the Gunners remain very keen on the Spanish international, and could sign him as a replacement for Martinelli, should the Gunners winger leave either in the summer, or for free in 2027.
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal have been told by intermediaries that Williams is considering a move in the summer, despite the fact that he signed a long-term contract in the summer. Reporter Graeme Bailey wrote: “People inside Williams’ circle believe Athletic’s poor campaign this season is set to play a major part in his thinking.
“Athletic sit ninth in LaLiga, and the frustration of underperformance at club level, the sense that Bilbao are not matching the ambitions he now harbours, and the desire to test himself at the very highest level are all being cited as factors nudging him towards a move.”
It is understood that he has an £87m release clause, and both Barcelona and Arsenal are now keeping tabs on the winger’s situation at Bilbao, over a potential summer move.
In other news, Ex-PL Manager Says Arteta Isn’t Holding £68m Arsenal Star Back As He Makes Jack Grealish Man City Comparison.