Personal terms agreed: A red hot forward wanted by Barcelona have agreed personal terms on a 4yr deal to join Arsenal – Date fixed to complete deal imminently – He will be Arteta second signing
A highly sought-after forward, also targeted by Barcelona, has engaged in discussions about potentially joining Arsenal this summer. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are keen on bolstering their attacking options for the upcoming season.
Arsenal Eyes New Forwards After Near-Miss in Title Race
Last season, Arsenal came close to clinching their first Premier League title in two decades. They finished just behind Manchester City, pushing the champions to the final day of the season with a commendable campaign. The Gunners amassed 89 points and scored over 90 goals in the league, a tally that would typically secure the title. However, Pep Guardiola’s City team set an exceptional standard, hitting peak form in the crucial stages of the season.
Despite falling short, Arteta is determined to challenge for the title again next season. He is focused on enhancing the squad, particularly in the forward positions. Arteta is looking for a young striker to partner with Kai Havertz, who had a stellar debut season at the Emirates. Arsenal is also considering adding another winger, despite having several quality options in wide positions.
Gabriel Martinelli experienced a slight dip in form towards the end of last season, suggesting that Arsenal might need an alternative to the Brazilian.
**Nico Williams in Arsenal’s Sights**
One of the players linked with Arsenal recently is Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. The young La Liga star had an outstanding season, reaching double digits in assists. He has also impressed at Euro 2024, notably troubling Italy’s full-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo as Spain triumphed 1-0. Williams has been a standout performer for Luis de la Fuente’s team, and his continued strong performances are likely to attract even more interest.
Williams has reportedly held talks with Arsenal, along with Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa. However, he prefers a move to Barcelona after discussions with the Catalan club. The 21-year-old currently earns around £200,000 per week at Bilbao and could demand up to £300,000 per week to transfer.
Williams has a £43 million release clause in his contract, but his high salary could be a significant hurdle. Despite this, Arteta is a strong admirer of Williams and is actively pursuing the potential signing.