Don't Miss

Arsenal ‘appreciate’ Athletic Bilbao star, Nico Williams

By Ritayan Chatterjee on June 9, 2023

Arsenal have reportedly been showing an interest in signing Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams this summer, as per the Italian outlet Sportitalia.com.

After coming through Los Leones’ youth system, the 20-year-old made his senior debut back in 2021 before establishing himself as an integral part of Ernesto Valverde’s starting eleven in the recently concluded season, scoring six goals and registering four assists in 35 La Liga appearances.

It appears Williams’ promising performances in the Spanish top-flight haven’t gone unnoticed as he has already attracted the attention of several big European clubs with Arsenal among those to have registered their interest.

According to the report by Sportitalia.com, Arsenal are looking to bolster their front line this summer and have identified Williams as a serious target. The report further claims that the Gunners ‘appreciate’ the winger a lot so they could make a summer swoop for him.

Williams to Arsenal

However, Sportitalia.com also says that Arsenal are set to face tough competition from AC Milan in getting any potential deal done for Williams as the Rossoneri have also registered their interest in purchasing the Bilbao star.

Williams – valued at around £22m by Transfermarkt – is set to enter the final year of his current contract and hasn’t signed an extension with Los Leones yet. So, if he doesn’t renew his deal over the coming weeks then Athletic Bilbao will be forced to sell this summer in fear of losing him for free and in that case, Arsenal will be handed a glorious opportunity to sign the winger in a cut-price deal should they formalise their interest.

It has been suggested that Arsenal have been exploring the possibility of signing a new left-footed right-winger to support Bukayo Saka and Williams could be an ideal option.

He is quick, technically sound, can dribble past opposition defenders in tight areas, has the ability to create chances for fellow attackers and can finish off his chances as well.

The Spaniard is an extremely talented player and possesses the potential to become a world-class winger going forward. So, he would be a great signing for Arsenal should they purchase him in the upcoming transfer window.

However, it is going to be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta’s side opt to make a concrete approach to sign Williams in order to strengthen their forward department this summer.