Arsenal have now learned the deadline Mikel Arteta faces to sign one of his priority targets in the summer transfer window amid strong competition from FC Barcelona.
The Gunners are going toe-to-toe with the Blaugrana this off-season as Arteta looks to build a title-winning team. Arsenal narrowly missed out on lifting their first Premier League title in 20 years last term, and will hope third time’s the charm after successive runners-up finishes.
Last season was still a record-breaking Premier League campaign at Emirates Stadium after the Gunners scored 91 goals. Arteta further oversaw a club-record 28 wins, just one shy of their all-time record of 29 from 1970/71. But the Spaniard sees scope to strengthen his side.
Arsenal target Nico Williams sets an early August deadline to secure a transfer
One of the positions Arteta would like Arsenal to strengthen in the summer transfer window is their attack with Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao a leading target. Arteta is pushing to sign a new winger who can support and challenge Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli for games.
Reports even suggest that Williams is Arteta’s preference if Arsenal look to sign a winger this summer. The Gunners are even happy to bet big for the 21-year-old who helped Spain reach the Euro 2024 final. Arsenal are ready to pay Williams’ release clause worth €55m (£46.5m).
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But while Arsenal are prepared to meet Athletic Bilbao’s asking price, Sport now reports that Williams has set a deadline to seal a transfer. He is also determined to join Barcelona, which the Catalan club knows, but will not hold out for a move to Camp Nou up until deadline day.
Instead, the 19-cap talent wants his future resolved in the first week of August at the latest. Williams had pushed back resolving his future to focus on Euro 2024 yet will shift focus to a transfer once Spain’s tournament ends. But he has left just a limited window to seal a move.
Williams does not want a transfer to drag on all summer and the chances that he stays with Athletic Bilbao will increase if he returns for pre-season. The Pamplona native is grateful for everything that the club have ever done for him, so would want them to get a replacement.
Nico Williams could be the attacking livewire Mikel Arteta craves
Barcelona might leave the door open for Arsenal to target Williams and delight Arteta if they cannot improve their finances sharpish, then. The Gunners are already in a position to seal a deal with Athletic Bilbao, and the forward has also now set his suitors a deadline for a move.
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Williams could certainly be the attacking livewire Arteta craves in north London, as well. The Spaniard has lit up Euro 2024 with his work on the wing following a superb season in La Liga with five goals and 14 assists. Williams even blew Joselu away when he played Real Madrid.
“When we met him in La Liga last season, we already realised he is an absolute rocket of a player,” Joselu told The Athletic.
“In every game against Athletic Bilbao, we analysed him individually. He is so dangerous with the one-on-ones and has now added goalscoring and chance-creating to his game. Nico can leave any full-back in the world with nightmares.”
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