Nico Williams is expected to seek a transfer this summer.
Arsenal are exploring a summer move for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. Andrea Berta has held talks with the Spain forward's representatives in one of his first acts as the club's sporting director.
It is understood Berta, who was confirmed in his post last Sunday and attended Tuesday's 2-1 win over Fulham, has met the 22-year-old's agent, Felix Tainta.
Arsenal have heavily scouted Williams for the past two years and are believed to have considered a move for him last summer, only to be informed that he wanted to remain at Athletic for another season.
Williams, having starred for Spain at Euro 2024 and helped his boyhood club reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they will face Rangers next week, is expected to push for a move this summer. Barcelona, who also tried to sign Williams last summer, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are also believed to be in the race, with his release clause thought to be set at €58m (£48.4m). Arsenal's long-term interest and the role of Berta, formerly sporting director at Atletico Madrid, could persuade him to move to north London.
Arsenal are also in the market for a striker and have identified Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres as a more realistic target than his Sweden teammate Alexander Isak. They have also heavily scouted Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. The Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi is expected to complete a £50.2m move, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho likely to depart when their contracts expire.
It is unclear what budget Berta will have, but there are likely to be more departures as Mikel Arteta attempts to refresh his squad. The manager said on Monday he was looking forward to a "big summer" working with Berta. Extending the contracts of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, whose deals expire in 2027, is also a priority.
Meanwhile, there are fears Gabriel could be out for a significant spell after coming off against Fulham with a hamstring injury. The problem was exacerbated by the Brazilian playing on for more than a minute as Fulham had the ball, with the 27-year-old hobbling badly as he tried to stay on his feet.
Gabriel was sent for a scan on Wednesday and Arsenal are also assessing Jurrien Timber, who was forced off with a knee injury. Arteta confirmed that Ben White had missed the game with a knee problem, joining Riccardo Calafiori on the sidelines after the Italian was injured on international duty. Arsenal play at Everton on Saturday and host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
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Arsenal have intensified their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, aiming to secure his signature ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider.The 26-year-old Swedish international has been in prolific form, netting 47 goals and providing 11 assists in 46 appearances this season.His exceptional performances have attracted interest from several top clubs, but Arsen...

Barcelona winger Raphinha is at the center of transfer speculation, with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea reportedly interested in the Brazilian international.Raphinha has been in exceptional form, contributing significantly to Barcelona’s success this season.The Spanish giants are in the semifinal of the Champions League and favourites to win the league title under the l...

According to a report from Fichajes, they are prepared to pay his €58 million (£50m) release clause in the summer. The Spanish winger has established himself as one of the best attackers in La Liga, and he has the quality to do well in the Premier League as well.The 22-year-old has 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season. Williams has been linked with Liverpool as wel...

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Notts County all-but guaranteed their place in the League Two play-offs courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Harrogate.The Magpies ended their four-match winless run thanks to Conor Grant’s second-half brace, leaving them fifth in the table and six points clear of eighth-placed Colchester.County took the lead in the 33rd minute when George Abbott fired home after David McGoldrick’s initial eff...

Luton climbed out of the Championship bottom three for the first time since January thanks to Shandon Baptiste’s 90th-minute goal as they beat play-off chasing Coventry 1-0.The Hatters looked like they would go to West Brom next weekend with their destiny definitely out of their own hands, only for Baptiste, who had been on the field for just 11 minutes, to find the net and lift the roof off...

Leyton Orient remain on course for the Sky Bet League One play-offs after a 1-0 win which dented Wycombe’s hopes of automatic promotion.Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game and Orient’s victory, their fifth in succession, leaves them ahead of seventh-placed Reading on goal difference.Defeat for the Chairboys, though, has handed the initiative to Wrexham, who could seal the...

Doncaster clinched promotion to League One after goals from Rob Street and Billy Sharp secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Yorkshire rivals Bradford.In an incident-packed encounter in front of over 12,500 fans – the Eco-Power Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season – Doncaster hit the post through Jordan Gibson before on-loan Lincoln striker Street gave Rovers a 33rd-minute lead with his...



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