Arsenal have been given a major boost to their hopes of signing Nico Williams. The 22-year-old winger has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for a while now as he continues to impress for Athletic Club.
Williams, who sees his contract at the San Mames Stadium expire in June 2027, has featured 28 times in La Liga this season, scoring five goals and providing five assists. Playing a key role for Ernesto Valverde’s side, he helped his boyhood club secure qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
The Basque outfit will compete in Europe’s top-flight for the first time in 11 years. Williams also fired Athletic Club to the semi-finals of the Europa League before his side crashed out to Manchester United.
With Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his attacking options this summer, the Spain international has been mooted as a potential target. In fact, football.london understands that the Gunners hold a long-term interest in Williams.
It’s claimed that the Arsenal boss is a very big fan of his fellow countryman, who caught his eye well before bursting on to the scene at the Euros last summer. As it stands, it remains to be seen whether or not Arteta will sanction a move for Williams, but Andrea Berta appears to have a free run.
On Monday evening, the Barcelona president was a special guest on a Catalan television programme called, ‘The night of champions’. Speaking on Catalan TV channel TV3, Joan Laporta was quizzed on the summer transfer window.
“First, we have to assess what we have and once we have done this analysis we will possibly reinforce some of the positions,” said the Barcelona chief. “The issue of goalkeeping has to be seen… because in goalkeeping experience is a degree.
“I think the Tek (Wojciech Szczesny) thing has gone quite well and I hope it continues,” added Laporta. Then, on whether the newly-crowned La Liga champions will sign Williams, he said: “He was one of the candidates when we were evaluating [Dani] Olmo and Nico.
“We have a good profile of this player, who is an excellent player, but I think at this moment they are evaluating other options.”
In an interview with Spanish outlet Sport last month, Williams provided a brief update on his future. Ahead of the Europa League semi-final against United, the Athletic Club star said: “The dream is to lift the trophy at San Mamés.
“I have the opportunity to make history at this club. The dream never ends. I’m 100 per cent focused on tomorrow, on reaching the final and winning it. I don’t want to look any further. I’m super happy here and… well. I’ve always wanted to feel important here. This is a 10/10 season for me.”
Unfortunately for Williams, Ruben Amorim’s side stormed past the Basque outfit and will play Tottenham Hotspur in the final on Wednesday night. Back in March, the the £59million-rated winger explained why he decided to stay in Bilbao after the Euros.
Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe, Williams said: “This relationship we have at the heart of the club is incredible. Everyone respects everyone else – which is incredible.
“This atmosphere, I’ll never have it anywhere else. I decided to stay because of that. I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m happy, and I’m trying to do my best.
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