Confirmed: Arsenal willing to pay Nico Williams’ release clause but…

Steve Kay

28 Aug 2024 09:00 BST
3 min read

Arsenal are still ready to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club before the end of the transfer window.

Article continues under the video

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed at the end of May that the Gunners were willing to trigger the release clause of the superstar winger, which stands at €58 million.

Since then, the star of Nico Williams has only ascended. The 21-year-old enjoyed a spectacular Euro 2024, when along with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, he led Spain to the title.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

ETV Range

€37.2M - €62M

This has only increased the interest in the winger, who has also been courted by Chelsea, Barcelona and PSG in recent weeks.

Arsenal have not made a move to trigger the player’s release fee, however, as he currently has no interest in leaving Athletic Club.

Williams has shown no willingness to move to the Premier League this summer.

Indeed, he has already intimated that he will remain in Bilbao for the next year, with Barcelona having come close to landing him. Only the Camp Nou side’s poor finances blocked a deal, with Nico apparently preferring a move to Catalunya to hook up with his great friend Lamine.

Arsenal told to sign Nico Williams

This news has come as a blow to Arsenal, who were told in March to push for a move for Williams by club legend Emmanuel Petit.

The 1998 World Cup winner said: “He’s been one of the best young players in Spain this season.

“He can play on the right or left and every time I watch Athletic, they always give him the ball because he’s so good at facing two defenders.

“He’d be a very good addition to any team as his skills are devastating. I love players who are always provoking defenders.”

Nico Williams’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has leaped to €49.6m, with the upper estimate hitting €62m. This means that a deal in the region of €58m would represent good value for Arsenal.