Arsenal and Barcelona have lost out in their pursuit of signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams this summer. 

The Gunners are aiming to land a left-winger who can help Mikel Arteta take Arsenal to a Premier League title for the first time since 2003/04.

Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao has been linked with a move to the Emirates since last summer, when he broke out for the Spanish national team during Euro 2024. It had seemed all but set that Arsenal would sign Williams at some point.

The saga then intensified when Barcelona entered the race to sign the 22-year-old. It had also emerged that Williams made a move to the Nou Camp his priority. However, that has all been washed away now, with the most recent update.

Reported by BBC Sport, Williams has signed a new 10-year contract at Bilbao, which will keep him there until 2035. Furthermore, any chance of a deal is all but gone, as his £53m release clause has increased significantly. It is now estimated to be worth £80m. Arsenal and Barcelona will have to look at other targets.

Who could Arsenal sign instead?

With a deal for Williams all but out of the picture, Arsenal will now need to consider other winger targets as they look to improve their attacking unit this summer.

One name that has been heavily linked is Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who is expected to cost around £68m. He is cheaper than Williams (now), and already more proven in both La Liga and the Champions League.

Last year, the Brazilian made 53 appearances for Madrid, scoring 14 goals, and providing 11 assists, he was no doubt one of the best wingers in the world, and would be a huge coup for Arsenal. The 24-year-old had previously been linked to Chelsea too.

Alternative targets also include Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, who is expected to be cheaper at around £50m. He would be brought in as a backup to star winger Bukayo Saka.