Arsenal and Bayern dealt major transfer blow as Nico Williams set to join European rivals

Nico Williams is one of the hottest properties in the summer transfer window with many clubs eager to land him this summer. The Spain international, who played a pivotal role in helping La Roja win the 2024 European Championship, looks destined to leave Athletic Bilbao despite their efforts to tie him down with a new contract. 

Williams has been strongly linked with Barcelona since last season and just when it looked like he would leave Bilbao, he decided to sign a new contract and stayed with Athletic Bilbao. 

However, this summer it looks imminent that he would leave and recent reports via Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna suggests Williams is inclined towards a move to Barcelona after sporting director, Deco met with his agent Felix Tainta. 

Reports suggest that the Williams is ready to accept lower salary to join the Catalans. He is fine with the €12 million salary that Barcelona offered last year. 

Interestingly, the 22-year also had a couple of meetings with Bayern Munich chiefs before he met with Barcelona representatives. While the Bavarians were confident after holding concrete talks, they are in a spot of bother after fresh reports emerged of his inclination towards Barcelona. 

Arsenal are also chasing the young Spaniard and have been linked with him since the last season but as per current indication the Gunners are down the pecking order among his options this summer. 

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What did Lamine Yamal tease on Instagram about Williams?While Barcelona officials continue to keep contact with Williams’s entourage over a potential move to Camp Nou this summer, star player Lamine Yamal has added fuel to the fire with a social media post. 

Yamal is reportedly a close friend to Williams and the two share great rapport during their time with Spain national team. So, he posted an image on Instagram of himself and Williams in La Roja kit celebrating a goal, possibly indicating his close friend’s arrival at Barcelona. 

The 22-year-old has a €58m release clause and is said to be earning around £6.7million per year. But Athletic Bilbao are reportedly open to increasing his salary to €10 million as they want him to continue in Bilbao.

The left-winger played 45 times in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao last season, mustering 11 goals and seven assists. He is someone known for his dribbling, key passes, progressive carries and also the ability to create something out of nothing. 

Williams has also impressed a lot during his international stint with Luis de la Fuente, featuring 28 times for Spain and netted six goals for La Roja. He scored the opening goal against England in the Euros final where they triumphed with a 2-1 scoreline. 

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