Amid reports that Nico Williams’ contract at Athletic Bilbao is expiring this summer, Arsenal must now make their move.
William’s agent has now been sharing details on the 21-year-old’s contract situation in Bilbao, and said there was currently no formal bid on the table.
Arsenal have been linked with Williams in the past, something that shouldn’t be a surprise given his growing reputation.
And if there’s even the slightest possibility of signing Williams at the end of his Bilbao deal, Arsenal have to move swiftly.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have been carefully constructing a squad to compete on all fronts over the last few years.
And as that squad building reaches its latter stages, tough decisions have to be made.
Reiss Nelson wasn’t able to adequately cover for Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard when they were injured, and it’s perhaps time that Arsenal sought an upgrade.
If Williams is available this summer he will be the number one target in Europe, and Arsenal should be at the front of the queue.
Arsenal must move for Williams if he doesn’t sign a new Bilbao deal
Of course, it would still seem quite likely that ‘incredible‘ Williams will sign a new deal, perhaps his agent is just trying to move things along.
But that shouldn’t necessarily deter Arsenal’s interest, especially at this stage of their trajectory.
Whether it’s Pedro Neto or Nico Williams, Mikel Arteta needs stronger options in wide areas of his squad.
Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are so crucial to the way this team ticks, and right now the drop off to their back up is too dramatic.
Leandro Trossard perhaps doesn’t fall into that bracket, a player who deserves a bigger role for Arsenal.
However, there’s obvious room for improvement in wide areas.
And were Trossard and Williams backing up the starting duo, Arteta would have the so-called ‘positive problem’ he’s seeking in all areas of his squad.
Arteta has proved he’s willing to make big calls, just look at David Raya’s starting position.
And if the club are to keep progressing then upgrade on Nelson will be required.
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