Nico Williams may be set to renew his contract with Athletic Club, with no suggestion he has any clear departure destination in mind despite prior links with Arsenal.
Ben Jacobs reports that Nico Williams has begun initial talks over the renewal of his contract with Athletic Club, with the relevant parties discussing an annual salary pushing €10m, and the potential for a release clause increase.
Jacobs suggests that Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs that see value in Williams’ current €58m (£48.9m) clause, but wages and agent fees make it an expensive deal all the same.
As for Athletic Club, they’re hoping to agree an extension before any bids arrive.
The report follows claims from Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel on Monday, with the journalist reporting that Williams isn’t giving any indications about where he wants to go.
Romano suggested that Chelsea are looking at Jamie Gittens in part because Williams is neither a quick nor easy deal to do, so it’s fair to assume it would be no easier for Arsenal.
But if the Gunners continue to delay, it looks like the option will be taken off the table for them.
Some reports going into the summer had suggested that Williams was Arsenal’s priority target for the window.
That might have changed in light of the possible (though unlikely) availability of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, but there’s an increasingly significant risk the Gunners are unable to sign either player.