Nico Williams 'AGREES' summer transfer

Cameron Smith

Updated: 11 Mar 2025 15:04 GMT
3 min read

Nico Williams, Athletic Club, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Athletic Club superstar Nico Williams has agreed to join Arsenal this summer, according to a sensational report in Spain.

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The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for over 12 months and the Gunners were close to finalising a deal last year, before Williams opted to remain at Athletic Club.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side have remained in talks to sign the Spain international ever since, amid their search for significant attacking reinforcements, and they have now reached an agreement with Williams.

That is according to Spanish publication TodoFichajes, who claim that Williams has given his agent the “green light” to finalise a deal with Arsenal.

Despite competition from Aston Villa, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, Arsenal “will be the ones” to sign Williams this summer, as per TodoFichajes, and he is set to become the highest-paid player at the Emirates Stadium.

The north London giants will reportedly trigger his €58 million release clause when the summer window opens, and Williams is expected to usurp both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in order to become Arsenal’s first choice left winger next season.

© IMAGO - Nico Williams is reportedly set to join Arsenal

Why did Nico Williams reject Arsenal in 2024?

Although Arsenal are reportedly set to sign Williams during the 2025 summer transfer window, the Gunners were left disappointed by their failure to complete a deal last year.

When asked why he opted to snub significant transfer interest from a host of clubs in order to stay at Athletic Club, Williams recently told France Football: “This relationship we have at the heart of the club is incredible. Everyone respects everyone else, which is incredible.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

ETV Range

€64.1M - €78.4M

“This atmosphere, I’ll never have it anywhere else. I decided to stay because of that. I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m happy and I’m trying to do my best.”

Williams has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 35 appearances across all competitions so far this season, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €71.2m.