Nico Williams to Arsenal: Major contract message sent

Arsenal face a major hurdle if they are to land Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, with the Spain star sending the Premier League side a clear message about his contract.

FootballTransfers revealed that the Gunners have put aside the funds to match the Spain international’s €58 million release clause at the Bilbao club, with Mikel Arteta’s side ready to make a move if they receive a green light from the player.

That is looking likely to prove complicated, however, as Arsenal will struggle to match the player’s salary demands, according to The Mirror.

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The report confirms that Nico Williams is Arteta’s No.1 target for that area of the team, yet the wage demands of the 22-year-old could mean that the Spanish boss has to drop his interest in the Euro 2024 winner.

It is claimed that the player is seeking around €360,000 (£300,000) per week in wages to allow him to match his salary with Athletic.

Athletic only sign Basque players, but while this reduces their talent pool, they make up for this by offering sizeable wages to their squad. On top of this, tax breaks surrounding Nico’s deal with the LaLiga club further drive up his wage demands with Premier League sides.

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What next for Nico Williams?

Nico Williams has also been courted by Barcelona, yet the Camp Nou giants remain in a complicated financial position that sees them in an ongoing fight to register Dani Olmo and Pau Vitor for the second half of the LaLiga season – one that has infuriated their rivals.

This is thought to have put Premier League sides in pole position to land the player, who had previously indicated last summer that he would prefer to stay in Spain. Chelsea and Manchester United are likely to follow his case, with Arsenal will continue to pursue him unless they have their head turned by another attacking midfield alternative.