Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen on signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams this summer, according to The Athletic.
The Spanish international has lit up Euro 2024 with his performances and he is likely to be in high demand after the tournament.
With Williams having a €55m (£47m) release clause in his contract, it will make any deal easier to negotiate and it appears that the Gunners will be in the mix for his signature.
The Athletic report that Arteta has made the 21-year-old one of his “preferred options” if the club decide to strengthen their options out wide.
Arsenal will have competition for the player
Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona are also keeping close tabs on Williams, but it remains to be seen if any of these teams are prepared to firm up their interest by making a formal bid.
Barca are restricted in what they can due to their financial situation and they may need to sell the likes of Raphinha and Ferran Torres in order to fund an offer.
Liverpool, meanwhile, already have plenty of left-wingers in their squad but they could make an approach if they sell Luis Diaz. Chelsea, on the other hand, are currently focused on recruiting Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
Williams’ wage demands could prove to be a stumbling block
The Spaniard only signed a new contract in December and his salary is €200,000 (£169,000) a week. He would inevitably demand an increase on that wage to make the move to the Emirates.
Considering his age, it would be a surprise if Arsenal (or any other club for that matter) were willing to pay him that much. Williams is not desperate to leave Bilbao either. He plays alongside his brother Inaki and the winger has come through the club’s youth system.
It means that, despite the existence of a release clause, this deal will not be straightforward.
