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Arsenal could be on course to secure a key transfer target ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta’s attacking options have been impacted by injuries at the start of 2025 with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both ruled out until the end of the current campaign.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are also both sidelined with Arteta considering a bold plan to start midfielder Mikel Merino in attack following his double in the 2-0 EPL win over Leicester City.
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However, the situation is expected to be addressed in the summer, after Arteta failed to bring in cover in the winter transfer window.
Arteta is rumoured to be tracking Athletic Club forward Nico Williams and the Spanish boss has been handed a key boost in the race for the 22-year-old.
Nico Williams to Arsenal latest: Contract, transfer value, stats
Williams has a £48m ($60m) release clause in his contract in Bilbao which remains active in 2025.
His current contract in the Basque Country runs until the end of the 2026/27 season but Athletic Club are aware there is little they can do if his exit clause is activated.
Barcelona openly pursued Williams ahead of the 2024/25 season as they looked to bring him to Catalonia following a superb showing in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 title win.
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Financial issues played a key role in Barcelona being unable to secure a deal, alongside Williams’ commitment to at least one more year at Athletic Club, as he wanted to compete in Europe with his boyhood team.
Hansi Flick was expected to revive his interest in the coming months, but the former Bayern Munich boss could now look elsewhere, as part of a transfer policy change.
Reports from Diario AS indicate he is looking to sign a central attacker as a priority despite Robert Lewandowski being under contract until 2026.
With Barcelona not looking to push for Williams, the path looks unopposed for Arsenal, as Arteta prepares a structured bid.
The Gunners could potentially pay more than his release clause, to allow for a tiered payment plan over the fee and a prospective contract, as they look to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Williams’ main numbers have dropped this season, after ending 2023/24 with five La Liga goals and 11 assists, and he currently stands on one and three respectively.
However, his deeper data from 2024/25 so far is eye-catching, with a top five spot in the La Liga rankings for progressive carries and successful take-ons.
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