Euro 2024 has now convinced Mikel Arteta to urge Arsenal to pull a U-turn on their interest in the transfer of a player who is aware that the Gunners are scouting him.
North London chiefs took full advantage of the recent European Championship in Germany to identify potential targets. Arsenal also saw one of their own win Euro 2024 as David Raya helped Spain, who beat their England trio of Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice.
Raya only featured once at Euro 2024 in Spain’s final group stage game, while Saka and Rice were vital for England throughout the tournament. But further Roja players may be heading to N5 with Arsenal interested in the transfers of Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams.
Mikel Arteta pulls a U-turn and tells Arsenal to target Nico Williams’ after Euro 2024
What Williams showed at Euro 2024 particularly left an impression on Arteta as Arsenal mull his transfer from Athletic Bilbao. The 22-year-old was an essential cog for Luis de la Fuente in Germany as he tore up the left wing. He started in all but their last group stage encounter.
Williams also offered two goals and one assist, including scoring in the final after capitalising on Kyle Walker leaving acres of space to slot past Jordan Pickford. Now, Dean Jones reports that Arteta has told Arsenal to pull a U-turn on Williams’ transfer as they fight FC Barcelona.
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The winger excelling at Euro 2024 has convinced Arteta that Arsenal should target Williams’ transfer despite their previous concerns regarding his wage demands. Williams is also aware that Arsenal are vast admires of his but continues to hold out for a transfer to FC Barcelona.
Chelsea are also in the race and are willing to meet his wage demands, while Athletic Bilbao cannot stop Williams from leaving due to a £50m release clause. Arsenal know that they will have to trigger his release clause to sign Williams, should Barcelona fail to fund their swoop.
Transfer rumours suggest Arsenal must make Nico Williams their highest-earner
Arsenal are behind in the race for his transfer as Barcelona have offered Williams a contract. The Blaugrana’s sporting director, Deco, met the forward’s agent, Felix Tainta, earlier on this week to discuss his move. He is keen to agree on personal terms to pip any rival approaches.
But Arteta is now eager to put Arsenal firmly back in the race after Williams lit up Euro 2024, where Alan Pardew called the winger a ‘revelation’. Even if it means the Gunners will have to weigh up his wage demands with Williams wanting around £300k-a-week from his next club.
Williams would instantly shoot straight to the very top of Arsenal’s wage bill if their sporting director Edu matches the winger’s demands in full. Kai Havertz is currently the top earner in N5 at £280k-a/w after sealing a lucrative deal to join the Gunners from Chelsea last summer.
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