“Although I was a boyhood Arsenal fan but that’s not even the reason I have agreed to join them”: Arsenal top transfer target Nico Williams reveals why he has agreed to join Arsenal over Barcelona transfer

According to The Guardian, Arsenal are keen on making Nico Williams a summer signing, after the club’s new Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, held informal talks with the player’s agent.

The Gunners interest in the 22 pre-dates the arrival of the Italian, with Mikel Arteta known to be a big fan of the winger. He was a subject of discussion last summer, and also in January of this year as the club pondered reinforcements, but the complications of the mid-season window were deemed too great to pursue anything at that point.

Arsenal are determined to overhaul the attack, with links to Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres as a centre-forward addition, and the further arrival of a wide player would be on the cards with Raheem Sterling’s loan set to expire and doubts over the future of Leandro Trossard who has just one year remaining on his contract in June.

Williams has attracted interest from elsewhere, in particular Barcelona but they seem financially incapable of making a deal happen unless they cash in on a star talent themselves.

They are currently involved in a struggle with La Liga over the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, so an expensive signing on big wages seems unlikely at this point – giving Arsenal an advantage as they plan for what Arteta has called a ‘big summer’.

Williams has 9 goals and 7 assists in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao this season, but there’s potential to be unlocked, and lots of room for development. He currently has a release clause just north of €60m, but in the summer window there may well be room for negotiation.aq