Arsenal have made fresh contact over Nico Williams as they search for a marquee addition on the left of Mikel Arteta’s attack.
The move comes after two setbacks in the market, with TEAMtalk reporting that the Spain winger has re-emerged as a serious option. Sporting director Andrea Berta has held discussions over the 23-year-old.
The renewed push follows a frustrating spell for the Gunners. They missed out on Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea in a British-record deal, while uncertainty surrounds long-standing target Bradley Barcola amid a multi-club scramble for the PSG man.
Arsenal revive £77m Nico Williams bid after double setback
Williams arrives on the back of another major international triumph. He played a starring role off the bench in Spain’s World Cup final victory over Argentina, creating the winner with a clever nod-back for Ferran Torres to finish after extra time.
His club season was more disrupted, however. Injuries restricted Williams to just 20 LaLiga starts for Athletic Club, though he recovered in time to convince Luis de la Fuente of his fitness and shine on the biggest stage.
A release clause makes any deal cleaner. Williams signed a long-term contract at Athletic in July 2025, ending talk of a move to Barcelona, but that agreement contains a clause worth around £77m (€90m). That figure is within reach of Arsenal and several rivals.
His numbers underline his profile rather than prolific output. Williams has 37 goals and 37 assists in 199 appearances for Bilbao, offering pace, directness and creativity rather than a heavy goal return.
Arsenal are not the only admirers, either. Liverpool have tracked Williams closely in recent windows, though it is the Gunners who are currently stepping up their work.
The Premier League is said to appeal to the player. Spanish sources indicate Williams would view Arsenal as an attractive destination, should he decide the time is right to leave the Basque Country.
For now, Arsenal continue to weigh several attacking targets. Williams, though, is firmly back on their shortlist as they look to resolve one of the biggest remaining priorities of their window, having already signed Christos Tzolis.
