Arsenal are ‘set to make official in the coming months’ the signing of Nico Williams, with strong reports in Spain revealing how he has already agreed to join the Gunners and with details emerging of the huge package they have agreed to pay Athletic Bilbao for his signature.
The Gunners did not add to their squad in the winter window, despite making a bid to bring Ollie Watkins to Arsenal in a move that annoyed Aston Villa both in its timing – just hours before a crucial Champions League game against Celtic – and in its value, with details soon emerging about how Arsenal had tried it on with a cheeky £40m gambit.
As a result, it’s understood that just seven minutes elapsed between Arsenal making the offer and Villa rejecting it. And while the Gunners did not come back with an improved offer – reasons for which have since been explained – they continue to monitor the 29-year-old England striker ahead of the summer window.
While Arsenal will likely target a new No.9 in the months ahead, Arteta has already set the wheels in motion for two other summer swoops too. And while a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has already been put in place, the Gunners are now reported to be closing on a second raid on the Basque country – this time for wing sensation Williams.
Reports on deadline day already claimed Williams is ‘ready to accept’ a move to Emirates Stadium this summer; now Fichajes reports that Arsenal are ready to make a ‘multimillion-dollar investment to persuade the player’ who is now a ‘priority’ for Arteta this summer.
Further reports take it further saying the move is ‘set to be made official in the coming months’ and with the 24-times capped Spain winger set to sign off on a move to north London.
The report claims the Williams’ entourage ‘has already held several meetings with Arsenal, and everything points to the fact that the agreement between the two parties is practically closed’.
It’s also claimed Williams is agreeing to join Arsenal ahead of long-standing interest from Barcelona, who are far from happy after learning about the player’s imminent move.
And it states that Williams has been promised a ‘leading role in Mikel Arteta’s team’ and Barcelona seeing the deal ‘as a betrayal’ with the Catalan giants ‘very close to signing him last summer’.
