Arsenal retain interest in Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams, but have yet to make a decision on whether to move for the Spain international due to the high cost of a potential deal, journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.
The Gunners are in the market for a new left-sided winger this summer and are believed to have earmarked Williams as an option to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad.
However, the overall cost of a deal to sign the Euro 2024 winner is expected to be ‘expensive’, considering Williams earns wages of €200,000 (£170,000) per week and has a €58m (£50m) release clause.
Arsenal have previously been put off by the cost of signing Williams, and it is anticipated that the final decision on whether to pursue the forward will rest with sporting director Andrea Berta.
Arsenal Yet to Decide on Nico Williams
Deal for the Euro 2024 winner is ‘expensive’
Jacobs, speaking on the Market Madness podcast, revealed that Williams could finally leave Bilbao this summer, with interest from two Premier League clubs:
“Nico Williams, the situation is this, there’s a €58million release clause, and he could finally, finally leave a club that he’s very much in love with.
“The overall cost of the deal is expensive, though, and the reason for that is because Williams has got a very high wage, €200,000 at the moment, and then there’s agent fees and taxes.
“So there is Premier League interest from Arsenal and from Chelsea as well. Arsenal are looking at a left-sided attacker.
“And it will be for Andrea Berta to decide whether or not there’s now value in Williams, because Arsenal have been put off by the cost in the past.”
Williams has blossomed into one of the best wingers in the world during his time at Bilbao and played a significant role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph last summer.
The “electric” 22-year-old forward has made 42 appearances for the Basque club this season, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists across all competitions.
English clubs will get a closer look at Williams next month when Bilbao face Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final.
Williams, whom Arteta would ‘love’ to bring in, has been in exceptional form in the continental tournament recently, scoring four goals in his last five appearances.
|
Nico Williams’ Athletic Bilbao Stats (2024/25 La Liga) |
|
|
Games |
27 |
|
Goals |
5 |
|
Assists |
5 |
|
Goal-creating actions |
13 |
|
Minutes played |
1,891 |
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Statistics courtesy of Fbref and Transfermarkt. Correct as of 22-04-25.
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