Arsenal have been given a boost in their hopes of signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
The 20-year-old enjoyed his first full season as a key player for the La Liga club, clocking up 43 appearances for the Basque side and registering 15 goal involvements. Williams’ impressive performances saw him earn international recognition last term and led him to be included in Spain’s World Cup squad, featuring in all four gamaes at the tournament.
The Gunners were linked with a move for Williams earlier this year and were reported to be facing a transfer battle with Liverpool. However, it is Aston Villa and former Arsenal boss Unai Emery who appear to have made the first move for the forward, according to reports in Spain.
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Villa were touted with a potential club-record deal for Williams in the winter as the Spain international is believed to have a €50million release clause in his contract. The young winger has been in talks over a new deal, with his current contract running until 2024, but negotiations are still ongoing.
Spanish outlet Relevo has stated that Williams met with Emery last week but was not suitably ‘seduced’ by Villa’s approach. The report insists that Williams ‘priortises staying’ at Athletic. Having gone through the youth ranks at Bilbao, he has a strong connection to the club as he plays alongside older brother Inaki.
However, while his future remains unresolved, Villa’s failure to convince Williams could give Arsenal hope of getting a deal over the line. The winger would offer cover to Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side, a position that lacked depth last season due to both Nicolas Pepe and Marquinhos being shipped out on loan.
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