Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of winger target, Nico Williams after the Spanish international committed is future to Athletic Bilbao in a new deal that will see him at the club till 2035 and with a new release clause of €85m.
The Gunners were considering Nico Williams as options for new wingers in their squad for next season alongside English FA Cup winner, Eberechi Eze and unsettled Real Madrid star, Rodrygo. The North Londoners with the new events from Bilbao will now switch their attentions to Rodrygo and Eze who look more likely to join the club this summer.
Rodrygo who is not certain about his future under Real Madrid new coach, Xabi Alonso wants away from the Santiago Bernabeau and the club will be ready to listen to offers from €90m for the Brazilian. Reports from London say the 2020 FA Cup winners are ready to begin negotiations for him after the FIFA Club World Cup where Real Madrid are in the knockout stages.
Softfootball confirms that Mikel Arteta’s side are not the only team to be heartbroken about Williams’ new contract at Athletic Bilbao as Barcelona were hoping the 22-year old would become a Catalan in a couple of days after the club had reached personal agreement with the player and were ready to pay his old buyout clause of €58m.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have mutually terminated the contracts of Japanese defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu. The former Bologna player leaves Arsenal with immediate effect as he will be out injured till the end of 2025 after suffering new injury setback. With Tomiyasu’s exit, it does seem Arsenal are preparing enough space in their salary structure to accommodate a marquee signing this summer.
It is certain the marquee signing will however not be Nico Williams as Softfootball reported earlier today that the Spanish winger, signed a new deal with his current hometown club, Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona has been dealt a transfer blow as Nico Williams has signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao until the summer of 2035, ending the La Liga giants’ hopes of signing the Spaniard this summer.
With the contract extension, Williams’s release clause, which was reportedly set at €58 million, will be increased by more than 50 percent.
