Nico Williams to Arsenal latest – Barcelona talks, Bilbao stance, £49m clause

Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams, after his heroics for Spain during EURO 2024.

Williams played a key role in Spain’s success this summer and scored the first goal as they beat England 2-1 in Sunday’s final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

And now focus turns on his club future with a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona, credited with an interest in his signature alongside Arsenal this summer.

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But, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is Barcelona who have stolen a march on their rivals and are preparing to advance talks with Williams’ camp this week after new manager Hansi Flick approved the 22-year-old as a top target for the club this summer.

Williams, who scored eight goals and grabbed 19 assists in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao last season, has three years remaining on his current deal at San Mames and it is believed he has a £49million release clause in his contract.

Arsenal are in the market for quality forward players this summer and Williams would certainly fit that bill. But he is on big wages in Bilbao and they are under no pressure to sell any of their players.

Athletic president Jon Uriarte hit out at the Spanish FA last week and reiterated their stance that they want to keep Williams at the club.

He said: “Nico, a footballer who is very committed to Athletic Club, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner, when he is concentrated to play in the European Championship by the Spanish Football Federation, which has not known how to protect him.

“Athletic Club is financially, socially and sportingly capable of keeping players of the calibre of those mentioned, including Nico Williams, in its structure.”