BILBAO, SPAIN: Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Copa del Rey semi-final match between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid at San Mames Stadium on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
ESPN’s James Ollie reports that Athletic Club winger Nico Williams continues to interest Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners being active in the market.
Interest in Williams appeared to have faded after Barcelona showed interest in him and he then opted to stay with his current club, but Auli suggests he is still interested.
COLOGNE, GERMANY: Spain’s Nico Williams plays during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Spain and Georgia at Cologne Stadium on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Williams has been on some time off since the end of Euro 2024 amid transfer speculation after scoring for Spain in the final on July 14.
Three weeks later, he returned to training with Athletic Club and hinted on the club’s social media pages that he planned to spend the season with the club.
The player has been given a new shirt number at his current club and there are no rumors of a transfer, but Arsenal are clearly very fond of the player.
BILBAO, SPAIN: Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Copa del Rey semi-final match between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid at San Mames Stadium on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
James McNicholas previously reported in The Athletic that Williams remains Arsenal’s preferred choice if they decide to sign a wide player this summer, but there were always complications.
Firstly, there is the €58m (£49m) release clause in Williams’ contract that would have to be paid up front – a huge sum to pay in one go – and then there is interest from other clubs, most notably Barcelona.
The 22-year-old Williams made 37 appearances for Athletic Club in the 2023/24 season, scoring eight goals and providing 19 assists, before going on to play six games for Spain as they won Euro 2024, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
For now, he is preparing for his first start of the new season in Athletic Club’s next match, against Barcelona.