Arsenal signing Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams in the summer transfer window will be a highly challenging deal to do, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
The Gunners want the Spain international, with manager Mikel Arteta a keen admirer, and sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly met with his representatives to discuss a potential deal.
However, Arsenal will need to pay all of his €60 million release clause and make Williams one of the highest-paid players at the club if they want him.
“Arsenal’s long-running pursuit of Williams – based on Arteta’s desire to sign him – is well documented,” Ornstein said.
“A recruit in that position has been on the agenda for some time and it remains the case. I have no reason to doubt the reports of a meeting taking place between his agent and Berta, however that is pretty normal… you’d be more surprised if meetings with the representatives of targets were not happening.
“Clearly it seems like Arsenal will try again and I doubt they will be alone; the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool are among the many clubs to have considered and/or pursued him. But this is a highly challenging deal to do and therefore there is no guarantee it happens. There is a release clause in the region of €60m and that needs to be paid in full, plus a very healthy salary.
“We reported some time ago that Williams is expected to be more open to a move in the summer of 2025 than previously, however he is still only 22 and his ties to Berta and their coach are very strong. Not an easy one for me to call, I’m afraid.”
The Gunners wanted the Bilbao star in January but the financial demands involved made a move unlikely, and not much has changed since then as they will still need plenty of money to get a deal done.
Despite his huge quality and how much Williams is capable of improving Arsenal in the final third, it is difficult to see the North Londoners agreeing to his demands, and agreeing to a move could be tricky.
Given that Arteta wants him, Berta will look to do all he can to get the Spanish forward in the summer, and both parties have to reach a compromise for something to work out.