Arsenal on alert as top transfer target 'confirms' desire to leave

Suraj Radia

• 12 Sept 2024 19:30 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal will continue to be on red alert with reports emerging that one of their top transfer targets of the summer has already made the decision to leave his club next year.

The Gunners brought in the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino to strengthen in key areas this summer but they missed out on a long-term solution to their attacking depth, instead signing Raheem Sterling on loan as a stop-gap option.

Mikel Arteta’s top target was understood to be Nico Williams of Atletico Bilbao but, despite the presence of a €60 million release clause in his contract, the 22-year-old opted to remain with his boyhood club for another season.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

However, according to Spanish outlet El Nacional Williams has left Bilbao ‘worried’ over his future, with the winger reportedly having communicated to those closest to them that this will be his last season wearing the red and white stripes of the club.

The report claims that not even the presence of his brother Inaki is enough to convince him to remain, with Williams believing it is the opportune moment for him to take advantage of the interest in him and explore a new challenge at a top club.

With Barcelona also strongly interested, Williams has yet to decide which team he would most like to move to but Bilbao are slowly resigning to the fact that their talismanic forward’s days are numbered at the club.

Bilbao 'understanding' of Williams decision

Williams is still said to love Bilbao and playing alongside his brother, however his desire to test himself at the highest level is proving to take priority after his impressive campaign with Spain at Euro 2024.

Bilbao are described as receiving Williams’ decision ‘with sadness but with understanding’ with the club believing they have done all they can financially to convince the wonderkid to stay, however the decision is purely a sporting one.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

€49.6M

ETV Range

€37.2M - €62M

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For Arsenal, the priority may switch towards a striker, having also seen top target Benjamin Sesko opt to stay with RB Leipzig for another season, but the Gunners will undoubtedly be in the race for Williams if he does make himself available.

READ MORE: Arsenal's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

With Arteta having committed his future to the club after signing a new three-year deal, Arsenal will be determined to back their manager, particularly if he can end the North London side's Premier League title drought after missing out in recent seasons.