Mikel Arteta could finally take some weight off the shoulders of Bukayo Saka if Arsenal signed Nico Williams. The 22-year-old winger was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer following his impressive performances for Spain at Euro 2024.
Playing a key role in Luis de la Fuente's side, Williams fired his country to glory, scoring against England in the final. The Athletic Bilbao winger was one of the most coveted youngsters in Europe, attracting interest from several top clubs - including Arsenal.
However, the Basque outfit refused to be bullied into a sale and Williams chose to stay at his boyhood club. This season, the Spaniard has continued to turn heads; he's featured 25 times in La Liga, grabbing four goals as well as providing five assists for his teammates.
Williams has also helped Bilbao reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League - scoring four goals and providing two assists in 10 games. With Arteta eager to bolster his front-line this summer, the forward has re-emerged as a target.
In fact, football.london understands that the Gunners hold a long-term interest in Williams. It's claimed that the Arsenal head coach is a very big fan of his fellow countryman, who caught his eye well before bursting on to the scene at the Euros in the summer.
If Arteta did manage to snap-up the £58.5million-rated speedster, he'd finally be able to take some weight off the shoulders of Saka. The 23-year-old winger had to do a lot of heavy lifting for Arsenal before he suffered a hamstring injury in December.
In the three months or so that Saka was on the side-lines, the north Londoners struggled to impress - while they often seemed to run out of ideas. With Williams on the opposite side, there would no longer be as much pressure or reliance on the Hale End gradate to perform.
Together, they would be one of the most feared partnerships in Europe. Speaking in Spanish outlet El Mundo back in October 2024, shortly after the transfer window slammed shut, Williams was quizzed his future.
"I'm not thinking about my future now," the Arsenal target said. "I'm so happy to be at Athletic, fans are happy too. Bilbao is my home, I'm really happy and I want to enjoy it here. I want to bring Athletic at the best level. The dream is that Europa League final at San Mamés."
Then, last month, Williams broke his silence to explain why he decided to stay at Bilbao. Speaking in French outlet L'Equipe, the winger said: "This relationship we have at the heart of the club is incredible.
"Everyone respects everyone else - which is incredible. This atmosphere, I'll never have it anywhere else. I decided to stay because of that. I took the decision I thought was the right one. I'm happy, and I'm trying to do my best."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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