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Nico Williams to Arsenal heats up after €30m contract agreement
Robin Bairner
- 25 Apr 2025 10:30 BST
- 5 min read
News
Arsenal are set to focus their transfer attention more than ever on Nico Williams following the news that one of Mikel Arteta’s alternatives has signed a €30 million deal elsewhere.
Leroy Sane has elected to commit his future to Bayern Munich by signing a contract that has significant implications for the Gunners’ summer transfer plans.
The Emirates side had targeted Sane as a low-cost addition to the attacking midfield sector of Arteta’s squad, which is an area that will undergo surgery in the summer to increase its depth.
Compared
Leroy Sané
M (RL)
Bayern
Leroy Sané
M (RL)
Bayern
VS
Nico Williams
M (L)
Athletic
Nico Williams
M (L)
Athletic
2024/2025
Season Statistics
2024/2025
| 45 | Appearances | 49 |
| 12 | Goals | 12 |
| 6 | Assists | 12 |
| 45 | Key Passes | 76 |
| 92 | Shots Total | 102 |
Nico remains a major target for sporting director Andrea Berta, and that will particularly be the case following the news that the Germany international is ready to commit his long-term future to Bayern.
Sane’s future at FCB had been in serious doubt. His contract expires at the end of the season and for a long period there was a major impasse that suggested he would leave.
Interest came from the Saudi Pro League, yet it emerged earlier this week that he had turned down an astronomical €45m offer from the Middle East.
Instead, he will sign a three-year contract with Bayern worth €10m per year fixed, with the possibility of €5m following in bonuses – a significant pay-cut compared to his current contract. According to Sport Bild, Bayern appreciate the fact that Sane was willing to take a pay cut and that money was not the most important factor for him.
Arsenal to turn towards Nico Williams
Although Leroy Sane was only a secondary target for Arsenal and Arteta, the news that he will sign a new deal with Bayern will surely only increase the Gunners’ determination to land Athletic Club star Nico Williams.
Nico has been a priority for sporting director Andrea Berta since he arrived at the club just a matter of weeks ago, and the Sane update means that the Gunners will be increasingly focused on the Spain star.
The 22-year-old has a release clause worth €58 million but competition is set to be fierce to land a player Barcelona have also been desperate to land.
Perhaps Arsenal’s stiffest competition for Nico Williams comes from Athletic themselves. The Bilbao side are preparing a bumper new contract for their star player, who has previously indicated that he loves the family atmosphere at the club.
Arteta and Berta have it all to do in order to land their top target, but after missing out on Sane, they will be more eager to get the deal done than ever.
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