Arsenal hold a long-standing admiration for Nico Williams, with Barcelona unlikely to be in for him this summer and the player open to a Premier League move.
The Athletic report that Nico Williams wanted to join Barcelona last summer, and he delayed on a potential Premier League transfer as a result. But Barcelona are reportedly unlikely to be in for him this summer, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal impressing.
As a result, the report suggests Williams is now more open to a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur all showing interest in him. Over in Germany, Bayern Munich also have the winger on their radar.
Williams has a release clause of around €60m (£50m), though these clauses in Spain require you to pay the entire amount upfront, making them somewhat less appealing.
David Ornstein reported in the January transfer window that Mikel Arteta wanted to sign Williams immediately, bringing him in as a winter signing.
But Ornstein added that the finances involved made that move highly unlikely, and it didn’t end up going ahead. As well as paying the release clause upfront, Williams would also be asking for a high salary.
A summer transfer was always viewed as more plausible, so Arsenal could reignite their pursuit in a few months.
Williams has four goals and five assists in 30 appearances for Athletic Club this season, after winning Euro 2024 with Spain over the summer.