Arsenal Face Bayern Competition in Pursuit of Nico Williams | OneFootball

Arsenal Continue Pursuit of Nico Williams Amid Bayern Interest

Arsenal’s Interest in Williams Remains Strong

Arsenal’s pursuit of Nico Williams remains very much alive, but competition for the Athletic Club winger is heating up. According to BILD, Bayern Munich have now entered the race to sign the Spanish international, adding further intrigue to what could be one of the most sought-after deals of the summer.

Williams was a major talking point last summer, following his impressive performances at Euro 2024. His release clause, estimated to be between £50m and £60m, attracted serious interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona. However, the winger opted to stay at Athletic, reaffirming his commitment to the club but without extending his contract. Now, with two years remaining on his deal, the race for his signature has reignited.

Bayern Enter the Picture

Bayern Munich’s interest complicates matters for Arsenal. The German champions are looking to revamp their attacking options, with Leroy Sané’s contract running down and both Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman potentially on the transfer market. With a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz looking increasingly unlikely, Bayern have turned their attention to Williams as a key summer target.

Arsenal, however, have been in talks with Williams’ representatives for some time and remain determined to bring the Spanish winger to North London. With Mikel Arteta’s project continuing to evolve, adding a player of Williams’ calibre could be a decisive step towards strengthening Arsenal’s frontline.

Release Clause and Transfer Dynamics

The exact value of Williams’ release clause remains uncertain, with reports suggesting it sits somewhere between €60m and €80m (£50.5m-£67.3m). Regardless of the precise figure, there is a general consensus that his buy-out clause represents excellent value for money, particularly given his consistent performances for both club and country.

Photo: IMAGO

The main question is whether Williams will be willing to leave Athletic Club, having resisted a move last summer. “At that moment last summer I made the decision that I considered to be correct and I’m very happy with it,” Williams told L’Equipe. “It was for my family. The relationship we have with this club is incredible and I don’t think I’ll find this atmosphere anywhere else.”

Arsenal’s Long-Term Vision Under Arteta

For Arsenal, signing Williams would align perfectly with their long-term vision under Arteta. The Gunners have built a young, dynamic squad capable of competing at the highest level, but adding a winger of his quality would provide a fresh dimension to their attacking play.

Williams possesses blistering pace, exceptional dribbling ability, and a work ethic that fits Arteta’s high-intensity system. With Arsenal competing on multiple fronts, squad depth is paramount, and Williams could form a formidable partnership with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

However, Arsenal must navigate a competitive transfer landscape. While they have been proactive in engaging with Williams’ camp, the growing list of suitors means negotiations will need to be handled efficiently if they are to secure his signature.