Luis Diaz the key to Arsenal signing Nico Williams

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 16 Feb 2025 09:16 GMT
• 3 min read

Luis Diaz could be the key to Arsenal signing Nico Williams this summer.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Diaz is now Barcelona's number one transfer target this summer to strengthen their attack.

Barca are in the market for a top-class left winger and Liverpool star Diaz has now moved ahead of previous frontrunner Nico Williams on their shortlist.

Diaz is expected to be made available by Liverpool to buy at the end of the season.

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This comes as great news for Arsenal, who have made Williams their top target for the wing this summer.

FootballTransfers understands that Williams is Arsenal’s priority transfer target and we have been informed that Mikel Arteta’s side are even willing to pay in excess of his release clause in order to secure better payment terms.

The Blaugrana had been desperate to sign the Athletic Bilbao winger last summer but were unable to complete a deal for financial reasons.

Arsenal have also been trying to sign Williams over the past year, and the two teams were expected to battle for the 22-year-old winger in the summer of 2025.

But Mundo Deportivo's latest report suggests Arsenal are now ahead in the race for Williams.

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Williams has a reported transfer release clause of €58 million, which is active to all clubs.

Williams at Euro 2024

Williams was one of the stars of Euro 2024 with electric performances as Spain won the trophy.

He scored in the 2-1 final win over England and was one of the players of the tournament.

His best performance was arguably against Italy where he tore apart the right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo and set up the winner - an own goal by Riccardo Calafiori.

He also scored a fantastic goal in the win over Georgia in the last-16.

The 22-year-old Williams is considered one of the most exciting young wingers in all of Europe.

Blessed with lightning pace and dribbling skills, he has a promising future in the game.

After making his debut for Athletic in 2021, Williams has scored 24 goals in 152 games.

He has also scored four goals in 24 games for Spain, and travelled to the 2022 World Cup.

This season he has been a little less productive, with four goals in 30 games.