Arsenal target Nico Williams is now more open to a move to England, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Although a switch is unlikely to take place in January, there is now a greater possibility of a transfer happening at the end of the season.
Manager Mikel Arteta is believed to be a massive fan of Williams, so the Spanish international’s change in stance is significant, but fans on X are sceptical about whether he would be an upgrade on the options the club already have on the left flank:
Over hyped average player
— I'm_Olalekan (@SOlarlekan) December 3, 2024
i dont think he s better than gabi, or much different profile
— The Sanity Peddler 🧠 (@cosminache23) December 3, 2024
we've moved on from him, average player
— Luke (@Lucky29Luke) December 3, 2024
We want Gyokeres
— Joe (@Arauj231) December 3, 2024
This guy drops back to back stinkers in Laliga, then i don't even know what's next when he comes in the EPL
— Isaac (@AFCIsaac18) December 3, 2024
No thank you. International competition hype. Enzo/Rodriguez kinda player. Move on.
— K Chy (@KausarChy) December 3, 2024
Stay away from my club
— Steinmets𝆎 (@5teinmetsz) December 3, 2024
Comparing Williams to Martinelli
If the Athletic Bilbao winger were to make the switch to the Emirates, he would be in direct competition with Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian hasn’t exactly been in great form, with 4 goals and 3 assists in 18 appearances this season, but Williams’s record isn’t that much better, having scored 2 and contributed 5 assists in the same number of matches.
Arsenal will have competition for the player
The Athletic report that Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on Williams.
As there is a £55m release clause in the winger’s contract, it does make negotiating a transfer easier, so the amount of interest being shown in the 22-year-old is not at all surprising.
Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
