Andrea Berta has wrapped up a few deals this summer, but the Arsenal sporting director is yet to significantly bolster Mikel Arteta's starting lineup.
15:15, 23 Jul 2026
Félix Tainta has provided an update on Nico Williams' future at Athletic Club. The 24-year-old winger was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last summer when Andrea Berta was tasked with bolstering the frontline, but any hope of wrapping up a deal was crushed when he decided to sign a new long-term contract at the San Mames Stadium.
football.london understands that the Gunners were once interested in signing Williams, with Mikel Arteta said to be an admirer. But when the Spain international extended his stay in the Basque Country to June 2035, Arsenal turned their attention to Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, whom they signed from Crystal Palace and Chelsea, respectively, for a combined £120million.
Leandro Trossard has since left the Gunners to join Besiktas, leaving big shoes to fill on the left wing. It's understood that the Arsenal boss wants to replace the 31-year-old and strengthen his attacking options.
As it stands, it remains unclear whether the Gunners will reignite interest in Williams, but his agent has seemingly left the door open to a move. Speaking recently to Spanish outlet Radioestadio Noche, Tainta refused to rule out an exit from Athletic Club this summer.
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As quoted by Sport Witness, Williams' agent said: "Right now, stay calm. We need to stay calm; let him enjoy himself and disconnect from soccer. What is meant to happen will happen. Stay calm and relaxed."
In the meantime, Arsenal have expanded their search for a new winger. football.london understands that the Gunners recently approached RB Leipzig to enquire about the availability of Yan Diomande.
Arsenal are said to be one of several clubs interested in signing the 19-year-old winger, whose contract at the Red Bull Arena expires in June 2030. Although Diomande is believed to favour a move to Paris Saint-Germain, they're yet to meet the asking price of £94m.
football.london understands that Liverpool are also keen on the Ivorian; they had a bid worth £85m knocked back earlier in the summer. The Gunners have asked to be kept informed of the conditions surrounding any potential deal for Diomande.
Bradley Barcola, Mika Godts, and Kerim Alajbegovic are also said to be on Arsenal's radar. The Gunners have had a pretty slow start to the transfer window, despite calls from Arteta for a 'very ambitious, very fast and very smart' summer.
Back in May, following the Champions League final, the Spaniard voiced his desire to take Arsenal to 'another level'. Speaking to reporters, he said: "First of all, I will take a few days with my family, and then we will start the process to review what we have done.
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"We will have to start making some very important decisions if we want to reach another level. We are going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it is going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart."
Berta has activated the option to sign Piero Hincapie, secured Illan Meslier on a free transfer, and prised Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, but he's yet to significantly bolster the Arsenal starting lineup...