Nico Williams: Favourites to sign Arsenal, Barcelona & Chelsea target revealed | OneFootball

Arsenal have been framed as leading the race to sign Athletic Club's sought-after winger Nico Williams amid competing interest from the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea.

The jet-heeled forward scored for Spain in last summer's triumphant Euro 2024 final yet spurned various offers from some of Europe's elite when presented with the chance to leave Bilbao, opting instead to stay with a club he described as his "family".

Williams is expected to be more open to a move this year. French outlet Foot Mercato revealed that Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has recently met with the Spaniard's representatives to discuss a move. The Guardian confirmed that Felix Tainta had been approached by Arsenal, who have been "heavily scouting" the 22-year-old for two years.

This long-term interest and the influence of Berta is expected to give Arsenal a strong chance of persuading Williams to move to north London.

Barcelona and Chelsea have also been credited with a long-standing interest in the winger, although Bayern Munich have reportedly pulled out of the competitive race.

Nico Williams has scored nine goals and created seven more this season / Ion Alcoba Beitia/GettyImages

Any deal for Williams is somewhat simplified by the €58m (£48.4m) release clause in his contract. If a rival club agrees to pay that fee, they can begin immediately negotiating with the player, removing Athletic entirely from any discussions.

Berta was only appointed as Edu's permanent successor on Sunday, but has already been busy. The former Atletico Madrid transfer specialist is expected to oversee an active transfer window, with Arsenal also thought to be in the market for a new centre-forward.

The Gunners have been reportedly tracking Juventus No 9 Dusan Vlahovic. Berta's preferred striker target to thought to be Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, while Arteta supposedly has his sights set on Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is widely considered to be on his way to the Emirates despite extensive interest from Real Madrid.