Arsenal 'target huge Nico Williams transfer' but face hurdle that may block deal

Arsenal reportedly prefer a switch for Atletico Madrid star Nico Williams to upgrade Mikel Arteta’s wide options in the final week of the transfer window. The Gunners are close to sealing a £32million transfer for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino and are open to making further signings before the August 30 deadline.

Williams has been linked with a switch to the Premier League this summer, with Arsenal and Liverpool linked. However, head coach Mikel Arteta faces a major obstacle if he wants to sign the Athletic Bilbao winger.

According to the Independent, Williams’ preference is to remain in Spain and his medium-term goal is to join Barcelona. Arsenal would need to convince Spain’s Euro 2024 hero that the best place for his development is the Premier League.

Arteta is reportedly prepared to add strength to his attacking options in the final week of the transfer window. Arsenal started the summer eyeing a new centre-forward but a new signing could now come in the form of a winger.

Gabriel Martinelli has sometimes struggled to live up to the heights of fellow wide man Bukayo Saka, while Leandro Trossard has never promised to be anything more than a reliable squad player. An upgrade on the left of the attack could help Arteta finally beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

It is claimed that another issue impacting Arsenal’s recruitment is that they will work from a different budget based on which player they are targeting. The club’s hierarchy are reportedly only prepared to pay whatever is necessary if someone is a specific ‘named target’ who it is deemed can improve Arteta’s starting 11.

That was the case for Declan Rice, for whom Arsenal met West Ham’s £105m valuation to sign last summer. The report adds that Williams could fall under that category.

The 22-year-old has a £48m release clause but seemingly pledged his allegiance to Bilbao by taking the club’s historic No 10 shirt following the departure of the iconic Iker Muniain.

If Arsenal do not sign Williams, it is claimed that Arteta will instead target a player in the mould of Trossard, someone who does not start every game but offers something different when they do feature. However, the budget for such a squad player would be smaller as they would not be a target who will improve Arteta’s first-choice team.