Arsenal are now ready to trigger the £49m release clause required for a “world-class” forward, following Mikel Arteta recently instructing pporting director Andrea Berta to sign him, according to a report.
Arteta light on attacking options as Gunners beat Chelsea
The Gunners’ Premier League title hopes are yet to completely fade, following a 1-0 victory against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium yesterday afternoon, but it will be a tall order to catch Liverpool, who remain 12 points clear at the top of the table.
Although every side faces injury issues, the north Londoners have been particularly unlucky this season, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka being ruled out for large parts of the campaign.
That has left Arteta very light on options in attack at times, with Mikel Merino being forced to lead the line in recent weeks, given a lack of alternatives, and there are indications the manager is very keen on bolstering his frontline in the summer transfer window.
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That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which has revealed Arsenal are now ready to trigger the €58m (£49m) release clause included in Nico Williams’ Athletic Bilbao contract.
The Gunners have been admirers of Williams for quite some time, and they could now be set to launch a move for the winger, with Arteta keen to compete for the Premier League title once again next season.
There are plans in place to offer the Spaniard a contract until 2030, in a bid to lure him to the Emirates Stadium, and there is a willingness to increase the Bilbao star’s wages, which could give Arteta’s side the edge in negotiations.
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also named as potential suitors, alongside Barcelona, so there could be fierce competition for the 22-year-old this summer.
Arteta determined to sign Williams
The Arsenal boss is now said to be pushing hard for Berta to sign the forward this summer, and it is clear to see why, given the level of some of his performances over the past few weeks.
The Pamplona-born forward played a crucial role in Bilbao’s progression to the Europa League quarter-final, scoring twice in the round of 16 second leg against AS Roma, while he also has three goals and an assist to his name in his last four La Liga outings.
Journalist Zach Lowy has lauded the Spain international as “world-class” in the past, and his performances for his national side also indicate he could be a solid signing for Arsenal, recording two goals and an assist en-route to Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
It is clear Arteta needs new attacking options next season, in order to avoid a drop-off in form if the likes of Saka and Havertz pick up injuries again, and Williams has proven himself as a top-level winger.
