“Arsenal Eyes Last-Minute Swoop for Nico Williams, But Edu Gaspar Faces a High-Stakes Challenge”
“Arsenal Eyes Last-Minute Swoop for Nico Williams, But Edu Gaspar Faces a High-Stakes Challenge”
Arsenal are set to sign midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, but that does not mean their shopping in the Basque region of Spain is finished.
The Spaniard will now move to North London, with Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil all but confirming Merino’s Arsenal move, and attentions will turn to signing an attacker in the final days of the window.
David Ornstein recently revealed that a winger willing to accept a backup role for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli is likely to be targeted, but Mikel Arteta’s number-one target is not entirely off the table yet.
Arsenal are huge admirers of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who scored against England in the final of Euro 2024, and the 22-year-old would be the ideal signing in attack.
Throughout the window, it became clear that Williams was always likely to remain at his club, seemingly ruling out an Arsenal move, but this will not stop Edu Gaspar from trying to sign him.
Arsenal consider late move for Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams
It has now been reported by The Independent that Arsenal are considering a late move for Williams, with the transfer window set to close in a week.
Williams still has a £48m release clause, and Arsenal are well aware of his desire to stay in Spain, but they will nevertheless try to convince him to join in the coming days.
If Arsenal cannot sign Williams, they will move onto other targets, with Atalanta star Ademola Lookman also linked, but the club will only heavily invest in a player they truly believe to be level-raising, and Williams fits into this category.
Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta face impossible Nico Williams task
Playing under Arteta is an enticing prospect for anyone in Europe right now, with Merino and Riccardo Calafiori both rejecting offers within their own countries to sign for Arsenal.
However, convincing Williams to leave his boyhood club and home town to sign for Arsenal will be a much more difficult task.
The winger was recently handed the number 10 shirt at Athletic Club, which was previously worn by club legend Iker Munian, and this was seen as a sign of him staying.
“I am very proud to be able to wear this number and to make history like he has done,” Williams recently stated of his new shirt number.
A lot of clubs are interested in Williams, but all have been unable to convince him to leave. If Edu and Arteta can do so now, it would arguably be the biggest transfer coup since they returned the club.
