Alarm bells ringing in Bilbao! Arsenal are preparing a final offensive for Nico Williams

"What an obsession with this story... There are many times when the gum can stretch, but we are going to let it go now... We spoke with Nico, he came happy, he took the 10... and played. I have not had any doubts in that sense," said Ernesto Valverde in a press conference, evidently 'tired' of the rumours that link Nico Williams to a possible exit from Athletic Club. And the Navarrese has been one of the great animators of the transfer market, with his name monopolizing a good part of the covers this summer.

FC Barcelona had him as its great priority of the summer window to reinforce the left wing of the team, but after several 'back and forth' and negotiations that were 'cooling off' over time, the Euro 2024 champion has reportedly decided to continue wearing the red and white shirt next season. In Bilbao they are planning their future with the player in their ranks and would even be willing to extend his contract, making him the highest paid footballer in the squad.

However, on the eve of his visit to Montjuïc to face the Catalan team and when the rumours about his destination seemed to be 'resolved', a new chapter has opened in the soap opera of the youngest of the Williams. The Navarrese was not only wanted by the Blaugrana squad, since the Premier League is also following him closely and Arsenal have reportedly reactivated their operation a week before the market closes.

This is reported by the newspaper 'The Sun', where they assure that the Londoners have not ruled out his signing and, after closing the arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, they would be willing to launch a final offensive for Nico. Mikel Arteta sees the winger as the 'icing' on his cake and has reportedly insisted that the club try one last time to sign the player, although it seems very difficult that the negotiations can come to fruition.

Athletic Club remain firm

The San Mamés offices do not intend, in principle, to part with their star player, when just a few days before the end of the summer window they would have no room to manoeuvre to secure a guaranteed reinforcement. Things can change at any moment in the midst of the 'frenzy' of the market, but the messages from the Basque Country are forceful and they maintain that Nico will wear the '10' red and white shirt next season. Meanwhile, Barça remains on the lookout for what may happen with the player, who continues to be a 'dream' for the Blaugrana club.