New reports have confirmed that Arsenal did chase Nico Williams over the summer, amid news that the player is now more open to a Premier League switch.
Nico Williams was often linked with a transfer over the summer, with Arsenal seemingly one of the key contenders for his signature. Yet the player remainder with Athletic Club in Spain, casting doubt over whether those links were genuine.
Charles Watts reports that they were, writing for The Daily Briefing that it’s a fact that Arsenal chased Williams over the summer.
Watts feels that Arsenal could improve on their current left-wing options, and adds that the evidence suggests the club agree with that assessment.
David Ornstein reported for The Athletic last week that there was “major interest” in Williams from the Premier League, but the winger ultimately decided to stay where he was when his preferred transfer to Barcelona didn’t materialise.
Barcelona are reportedly no longer in for him, and as a result he’s more open to a Premier League switch.
Ornstein’s report added that Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur were among the teams with a long-standing admiration for the player.
Williams still has a release clause of around €55m (£45.5m), so he’s available if a club is willing to pay the money, though Ornstein suggested that the winger would prefer not to move in the winter market.
An Arsenal move for him seems relatively unlikely in January, as the Gunners would probably need to move someone on first. Mikel Arteta has Raheem Sterling on loan for the current campaign, so there isn’t much flexibility there right now.
But if and when Sterling goes back to Chelsea next summer, a spot for a longer-term signing will open up. Perhaps that’s when the club might make a move.
Williams has two goals and five assists in 20 appearances for Athletic Club this season, after winning Euro 2024 with Spain over the summer.