Arsenal ready to meet £51m clause to sign Spanish star, he does not want the move - report
Arsenal are poised to make multiple signings to bolster the forward department this summer.
The Gunners are targeting a marquee striker, but a left-sided winger is another top priority.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has been strongly linked with the club since last summer.
Manager Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the Spaniard, but it seems he could stay in Bilbao.
According to Sport, the Gunners and Chelsea are ‘willing to pay’ Williams’ release clause worth £51m.
However, the winger remains ‘very reluctant’ to move abroad at the current point of time.
The 22-year-old would ideally prefer to join Barcelona, but the La Liga champions are unlikely to afford him.
Their current priority is to sign either Luis Diaz or Marcus Rashford to bolster the left-wing department.
If that is the case, Williams would be ready to renew at Athletic where he is ‘very happy’.
Arsenal should move on from Williams
The Gunners have had a long-standing interest in signing Williams.
They were heavily linked with the versatile winger throughout last summer, but the Spaniard had no plans to leave Athletic.
The situation could be the same this summer. He does not want to move overseas, which is a massive setback for Arsenal.
We believe the club should move on from the player just like they did with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
Personal terms were agreed with the 24-year-old goalkeeper last summer, but a deal did not materialise before the deadline.
Garcia is now on course to join Barcelona for a regular starting role. Arsenal have quickly moved on to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Gunners need to find a suitable alternative to Williams in the coming days.
The door could open up to sign Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, particularly with Franco Mastantuono poised to join the La Liga giants.
Mastantuono’s arrival could hamper Rodrygo’s playing time. The Brazilian could push for an exit. Arsenal are firm admirers of him.
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