Recent reports from transfer insider Graeme Bailey indicate that Arsenal are now pushing harder to land Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. The London club are on the lookout for a top-tier attacker to strengthen the front line. Right now, the Spanish international has a massive release clause of about €100 million. This follows his recent decision to sign a new deal with the Basque side.
Arsenal Step Up Chase for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams
Even with that huge price tag, Mikel Arteta reportedly sees the winger as a must-have signing. He wants to add more threat to his attack before next season starts. Bailey notes that the Gunners are keeping a very close eye on things. At the same time, other big European clubs are also thinking about paying the fee to get him out of his contract. This puts Arsenal right in the middle of a major scrap for one of the best young talents in Europe.
Breaking Down the Nico Williams Situation
At 23, the Spain international is at the top of his game physically, but he still has plenty of room to get even better. He is a regular for the Spanish national team and played a big part in their recent wins on the international stage. So far in the 2025/26 season, the winger has bagged four goals and six assists. These stats come from 26 games for Athletic Bilbao as of mid-February 2026.
His main strengths are his raw pace and the way he can dribble with both feet. These skills let Williams blow past defenders easily on either side of the pitch. On the flip side, some critics say his finishing can be hit-or-miss; however, the amount of chances he creates usually makes up for the odd mistake in front of the goal.
In the current Arsenal team, Mikel Arteta relies mostly on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for that left-wing spot. Martinelli is incredibly fast, but his form has been up and down all year. Trossard often works better as a false nine or coming off the bench to change a game. The Gunners also brought Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke into the mix earlier this year, yet neither of them stays out wide and hugs the touchline quite like Williams does.
Why the Move Makes Sense?
Going after Williams is a smart move for Arsenal. He brings a style of play that the current squad just doesn’t have. By staying wide and stretching the pitch, he will open up crucial gaps in the middle for Martin Ødegaard to work his magic.
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That €100 million price looks high. Even so, buying a proven winner with experience at the highest level is a solid bet for a team that want to stay at the top of the Premier League for years to come. Arsenal have to move fast here. They can’t let a rival grab a player who could lead their attack for the next ten years.
Rohit Sarkar
Rohit Sarkar is a passionate writer with a deep love for multiple sports, but his favourites are football and cricket. Since 2017, he has been covering football and cricket news with a keen eye for detail and compelling storytelling. He is a fan of the beautiful game and a specialist…