Arsenal have renewed their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams in a bid to land the Spain World Cup winner before the close of the summer transfer window, after setbacks in moves for Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola.
The Premier League club have reopened official lines of communication with the 23-year-old left-sided attacker as Mikel Arteta pushes for a high-impact addition to strengthen his forward line.
Direct talks with Williams
According to UK outlet TeamTalk, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta has held direct conversations with Williams as part of a detailed assessment of the feasibility of a deal.
Berta is understood to be convinced that Williams – who has scored 74 goals and provided 37 assists in 199 appearances for Bilbao – can bring the pace, penetration and cutting edge Arteta wants on the left flank.
Williams recently signed a long-term contract at San Mames, but the deal includes a €90m (£77m) release clause, a figure described as attainable for Arsenal given their current transfer plans and financial position.
Arsenal turn to Williams after transfer setbacks
The renewed push comes after Arsenal failed to secure Aston Villa winger Morgan Rogers, who instead completed a move to Chelsea.
Efforts to sign Lyon’s Bradley Barcola have also stalled, with Manchester United entering the race and submitting an official bid for the Frenchman. That development has injected further uncertainty into Arsenal’s pursuit of Barcola and increased the urgency to secure an alternative.
With the transfer window edging towards its conclusion, Arsenal are said to be prioritising the signing of a left winger to underpin their domestic title ambitions and strengthen their challenge in European competition.
World Cup heroics raise profile
Williams is expected to be one of the most in-demand attacking talents in Europe this window, following his standout displays for Spain at the 2026 World Cup.
He played a decisive role in the final against Argentina, creating the winning goal with a clever headed assist for Ferran Torres. That contribution capped a tournament in which he enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s most dynamic wide forwards.
Although injuries limited him to 20 league starts for Bilbao last season, Williams returned to fitness at a crucial stage of the campaign and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level for both club and country.
Liverpool interest cools as Arsenal lead race
Liverpool have previously monitored Williams, but Arsenal are currently regarded as frontrunners for his signature, driven by Arteta’s insistence on adding another top-class wide option.
Sources suggest Arsenal view the Spaniard as an immediate upgrade who can offer direct running, width and end product from the left, complementing their existing attacking options.
With the clock ticking on the summer window and rival clubs circling, Arsenal’s willingness to meet Williams’ release clause could prove decisive in determining where one of Europe’s most coveted wingers will play next season.
