There are about 48 hours left until the transfer window slams shut until January 1 and understandably, the footballing world is in a frenzy. Clubs are still looking at options to sign and bolster their squad to give them the best possible chance for success.
Arsenal might have wrapped up a couple of signings in the transfer window so far – Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino. However, the clock simply doesn’t stop for Edu Gaspar who continues to work to provide Mikel Arteta with enough ammunition in his arsenal.
Arsenal make late push for Nico Williams
Could the Gunners pull off one of the transfer coups of the summer in the limited time remaining? Throughout the transfer window, Spain’s Euro 2024 star Nico Williams has been publicly linked with a move to Barcelona.
However, privately, behind the scenes, the Gunners have been working hard to try and convince the 26-year-old to make the switch to the Emirates. Nico was said to be open to a move to Arsenal but rumours have dissipated in recent weeks.
That said, Ernesto Valverde’s decision to drop Nico Williams from the starting XI days before the deadline has set the cat amongst the pigeons. The 22-year-old is the Basque club’s best player and this might actually mean something.
Should Arsenal fans get excited?
Nico played last weekend against Barcelona. He was completely marshalled by Jules Kounde who didn’t give him an inch but he did not suffer any physical issues that one could see of.
Everyone knows the 22-year-old has a £46m release clause in his contract and could this decision by Valverde be a consequence of interesting being shown in him from somewhere, and could that be Arsenal?
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Nico Williams – Athletic Club 2023-2024 compared to Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal 2023-2024 radar and distribution
Williams with a bit of a breakout year vs Martinelli in a down year.
It would be nice to have them both competing against each other. pic.twitter.com/OAKVHrYu08
— Scott Willis (@scottjwillis) August 24, 2024
The Gunners would love to bring Nico Williams in the coming days. He would instantly make Mikel Arteta’s squad so much better, taking them from a top team to a world-class team. The Spaniard can also play on either wing.
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Nico Williams at his best can be unstoppable. It helps that he prefers playing on the left. He could initially rotate with Gabriel Martinelli and eventually replace him somewhere down the line. Of course, he won’t be cheap and the Gunners would need to make him one of their highest-paid players.
At this point, we won’t read too much into Ernesto Valverde dropping Nico Williams for the Valencia game. However, it could be an invitation to Arsenal to swoop in with a late offer and let’s see if there is any substance to this transfer rumour in the coming hours.
