DEAL HIJACKED: Arsenal hijack Chelsea’s transfer as £111million attacker snubs Chelsea to join the Gunners on record transfer fee
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly taken matters into his own hands by holding direct talks with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
According to a report by CaughtOffside, Arteta presented his vision for Arsenal’s future directly to the Spanish international, a bold move that appears to have significantly boosted the Gunners’ standing in what could become one of the summer’s fiercest transfer battles.
While Chelsea are also in the race, it is Arsenal’s clarity of project and the personal involvement of Arteta that has seemingly tilted the odds in the north London club’s favour. Sources indicate that “Arteta’s pitch to the player looks to have put the Gunners in a commanding position.”
Big-Name Competition Looms from Spain
However, any premature celebrations from Arsenal fans would be ill-advised. The allure of La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona still casts a long shadow. Both clubs have admired Williams for some time, and should either decide to activate his £50m release clause, the race could become significantly more complicated.
That said, Williams may find the path to first-team football less obstructed in London. “It’s hard to imagine the Spain international would get as much of a key role at Barcelona right now due to the presence of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Dani Olmo,” the report notes. Real Madrid, too, have a stacked attack with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and the imminent arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
For a player who thrives in wide areas and wants to continue developing with regular starts, Arsenal — or potentially Chelsea — could offer the ideal blend of elite competition and personal progression.
Why Williams Fits the Arsenal Profile
At just 22, Nico Williams represents the perfect hybrid of current quality and untapped potential. His ability to beat defenders with pace, coupled with growing maturity in decision-making, has seen him rise to prominence in La Liga. With a release clause set at £50m, he isn’t a bargain, but he could prove value for money in a Premier League market where attacking flair is at a premium.
Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Williams is indeed high on Arteta’s wishlist. “I still believe Nico Williams would be Arteta’s first choice. But we all know by now that might be a difficult one to get over the line,” Watts commented in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside.
This move would align with Arsenal’s recent transfer strategies, where the club has focused on younger, high-ceiling talent capable of immediately challenging for a place in the starting XI. After missing out narrowly in the Premier League title race, injecting fresh dynamism on the flanks could be just what Arsenal need to finally go all the way.
Chelsea Need the Reinforcement — But Are They Second in Line?
Chelsea’s interest also makes perfect sense. Their forward line has been largely inconsistent, with players like Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk struggling to make a lasting impression. For a side eager to reboot under a new sporting direction, Williams would represent a genuine upgrade — and a real statement of intent.
However, it’s unclear whether Chelsea’s project carries the same weight right now, particularly with uncertainty around their managerial future and European qualification. In contrast, Arsenal can offer stability, Champions League football, and a manager who has shown faith in young talents like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and William Saliba.
From an Arsenal fan’s perspective, this news is nothing short of electrifying. After two near-miss seasons under Arteta, bringing in a player of Nico Williams’ calibre would be a major sign that the club is pushing hard to reach the next level.
His profile fits perfectly with Arsenal’s tactical setup. Imagine him on one wing and Saka on the other, with Odegaard pulling strings in midfield — it’s a mouth-watering prospect. Williams’ flair and pace could be the final piece in the attacking puzzle, especially in those tight matches where an extra moment of magic is needed to break down deep blocks.
Moreover, Arteta personally pitching his vision to the player shows how seriously the club is taking this pursuit. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that gives fans confidence. If Williams is swayed by this approach, it not only strengthens our squad, it also signals to the rest of Europe that Arsenal are no longer just building — they’re ready to dominate.
Let’s hope Edu and the rest of the recruitment team can now close the deal. With the Champions League on the horizon and the Premier League within reach, this is exactly the type of transfer that can take us to the top.
