Mikel Arteta is keen to add a big-name player to Arsenal's squad this summer. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal are facing a race against time to secure the signature of Nico Williams, despite the Euro 2024 ace favouring a move elsewhere.
Williams has impressed with his performances for Spain at this summer’s competition, with talk about a transfer away from Athletic Club starting to pick up.
Clubs across Europe have piqued their interest, not least because it’s reported the forward boasts a £43million release clause in his contract.
But despite the interest from Premier League teams - Arsenal chief amongst them - it’s understood that Williams is leaning towards staying in Spain altogether.
A report from Spanish outlet Sport claims Williams has tunnel-vision for Barcelona and is keen to play for the La Liga giants next season.
It's also suggested Williams has set Barcelona a soft deadline to complete a move, as the Spanish international doesn't want his future hanging in the air heading deep into the summer window.
It’s a hammer blow for Arsenal, who had identified the 21-year-old attacker as a potential summer signing, as Mikel Arteta looks to bridge the gap to reigning champions Manchester City.
There was hope that Barcelona’s precarious financial position would present Arsenal with a window of opportunity to sign Williams, but even that looks as if it’s fading away.
Speaking to a local radio station earlier this week, Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted the Catalan club did have the money to sanction a move for Williams.
Nico Williams has impressed for Spain this summer. (Image: Getty)
He said: "Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams.
"Nico's a player I like, I like him a lot. We are working with [coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings.
“Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on.
“Shortly we will be able to announce some good news with regard to the financial [issues] and we will be back within La Liga's Fair Play limits. And that will allow further good news in terms of [signings]."
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If it plays out as expected, Williams will be one fewer marquee option available for Arteta and co. to land this summer, and the longer time goes on, the more expensive those players will become.
It comes after the Gunners saw transfer target Benjamin Sesko extend his contract with RB Leipzig ahead of the European Championship.
Sesko had been linked with a move to Arsenal, but the Premier League runners-up could be forced to look elsewhere.
One name that hasn’t gone away - not yet at least - is that of Napoli gem Victor Osimhen, whose future at the Serie A side continues to look uncertain.
It’s reported that Osimhen’s new contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona includes a release clause, indicating a willingness on Napoli’s part to sell the striker.
