Arsenal and Chelsea are at risk of being forced to contend with a significant blow in their pursuit of Nico Williams as the Athletic Bilbao star is toying with penning a new contract instead of heading to the Emirates Stadium or Stamford Bridge, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed on the latest episode of our Market Madness podcast.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is already on the cusp of raiding La Liga, with Martin Zubimendi close to finalising his £51million switch from Real Sociedad, while Blues head coach Enzo Maresca has also been bolstering his squad in preparation for the fast-approaching Club World Cup.
Chelsea announced the £18million acquisition of Dario Essugo from Sporting earlier this week, meaning he will be involved when the competition gets underway in the United States later in the month, and they have been among the sides battling with Premier League rivals Arsenal for the arrival of Williams.
Williams May Snub Gunners and Blues Switch
Spain international has opportunity to pen fresh contract
Nico Williams in action for Athletic Bilbao
Arsenal and Chelsea are in danger of missing out on a deal for Williams, according to GMS sources, as he has refused to rule out the possibility of committing his long-term future to boyhood club Athletic Bilbao by agreeing fresh terms rather than embarking on a fresh challenge ahead of next season.
The Euro 2024-winning Spain international's current employers are determined to convince him to sign on the dotted line as he has remained one of the first names on the team sheet despite preparing to enter the final two years of a contract which includes a release clause in the region of £50million.
GMS sources have been informed that, in a fresh twist, Athletic Bilbao have engaged in talks with Williams - in the aftermath of a productive campaign - as they want to keep him on board at the same time as raising the buyout figure to complicate matters for Arsenal, Chelsea and other interested parties.
Nico Williams' statistics for Athletic Bilbao this season
The winger has refused to rush into a decision over his future even though there is an awareness that he would be on course to secure a significant pay rise if he chooses to ignore advances from the Gunners and Blues, who have been unable to agree personal terms with Jadon Sancho after a loan spell from Manchester United.
Williams has discovered that a salary of close to £8.5million is on offer at Athletic Bilbao, GMS sources have learned, but he would be required to agree to insert a more lucrative release clause into the new contract and discussions cannot be termed advanced at this stage.
Arteta and Maresca Waiting for Williams' Call
Tacticians being forced to remain patient in pursuit of 22-year-old
Nico Williams celebrating after scoring for Athletic Bilbao
GMS sources have been told that Arsenal and Chelsea are being forced to play the waiting game as Williams wants to assess his suitors this month before making a final decision on whether to commit his future to Athletic Bilbao, while Barcelona are hoping that he will stay in his current surroundings and become available next year.
The 22-year-old - who has been described as 'frightening' by journalist John Bennett - is a dream target for the La Liga heavyweights' president Joan Laporta, but their financial position and other priorities mean they are not able to battle Arteta and Maresca for an agreement in the coming months.
Williams has emotional ties to Athletic Bilbao and could opt to stay on board until after the 2026 World Cup, GMS sources understand, leading to Arsenal discussing a potential move for £75million-rated Real Madrid winger Rodrygo and going head-to-head with Chelsea for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens as they identify alternatives.
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Arsenal could sign the 22-year-old striker for less than £84m this summer.
GMS sources recently revealed that Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is exploring more than 10 deals as he bids to upgrade the attack, highlighting that the north Londoners are keeping their options open ahead of potentially being frustrated in their bid to acquire leading targets this summer.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 03/06/2025
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