Nico Williams in motion for Athletic Bilbao towards Rangers (Picture by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Photographs)
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta has held direct talks with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams with the intention to current his undertaking to the Spanish star, CaughtOffside understands.
Arsenal may face competitors from Chelsea for Williams, although sources have indicated that Arteta’s pitch to the participant seems to have put the Gunners in a commanding place.
Nonetheless, it additionally stays to be seen if Barcelona and Actual Madrid may nonetheless be part of the race for Williams this summer season, with each golf equipment long-term admirers of his.
The 22-year-old is an thrilling expertise who will certainly be leaving Athletic Bilbao earlier than too lengthy, particularly as he has a tempting £50m launch clause in his present contract.
Nico Williams to the Premier League, or to one among Spain’s massive two?
CaughtOffside understands that Arsenal and Chelsea are displaying the strongest curiosity from England proper now, however Williams can also be firmly on the radar of Spain’s massive two.
Actual and Barca can be laborious for any participant to show down, although Williams would possibly maybe do higher to have a look at one of many two London giants.
It’s laborious to think about the Spain worldwide would get as a lot of a key position at Barcelona proper now as a result of presence of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Dani Olmo within the attacking midfield division.
Likewise, Actual Madrid have already got Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes in assault, so Williams would possibly discover he struggles for enjoying time.
Nico Williams tipped as Mikel Arteta’s first alternative
It’s not too shocking that Arteta has seemingly made a direct enchantment to Williams to maneuver to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal skilled Charles Watts not too long ago wrote in his unique CaughtOffside column that he felt Williams can be the supervisor’s first alternative.
“At this level I simply can’t say who Arsenal will signal. I don’t suppose anybody can. The membership could have their targets and we’ll simply have to attend and see who they get,” Watts stated.
“I nonetheless imagine Nico Williams can be Arteta’s first alternative. However everyone knows by now that may be a troublesome one to recover from the road.”
Chelsea may additionally certainly do nicely to signal Williams as an improve on struggling attacking gamers like Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk.