Arsenal Eye Move For ‘One Of Europe’s Most Exciting Wide Forwards’

Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is a top target for Arsenal as their search for an alternative to Morgan Rogers gathers pace, according to reports.

TEAMtalk claims that sporting director Andrea Berta has renewed contact with the player and his entourage.

Williams is still regarded as “one of Europe’s most exciting wide forwards” despite having just ended a season that was plagued by injury.

Even so, the Spanish international managed to play a key role in the World Cup, providing the assist for Ferran Torres’s winner in the final against Argentina.

Arsenal could take advantage of a release clause

Williams ended transfer speculation last summer after signing a mammoth 10-year contract with Athletic, keeping him in the Basque Country until 2035.

However, TEAMtalk report that a buyout fee was included that means a club can sign him for €90m (£77m).

Considering the Gunners were prepared to spend between £80m and £100m on Rogers, the cost of signing Williams is unlikely to be an issue, as long as he is interested in making the switch to the Emirates. He has previously shown a reluctance to leave his hometown club.

Williams is by no means the only winger being targeted

Arsenal are very much still reeling from Chelsea’s hijacking of their move for Rogers, and it remains to be seen who will emerge as the main alternative.

Williams is clearly under consideration, but the Premier League champions have also reportedly made enquiries about Yan Diomande’s situation. The Ivorian international has agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain, but the Ligue One side have yet to find common ground on a transfer fee with RB Leipzig.

Bradley Barcola is another possible option, but his price tag is expected to be similar to Rogers’, and that may force the Gunners out of the race for his signature.