Blow For Arsenal as Star Spain Winger Nico Williams Decides Which Club He Wants to Join

Nico Williams, who has been terrorising opponents from the left wing has decided which club he wants to join according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal's hopes of landing Spain's rising star Nico Williams have taken a significant hit, with multiple reports now confirming the Athletic Club winger has made Barcelona his top choice for a summer transfer.

According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Williams has already informed other interested clubs — including Arsenal and Bayern Munich — that his priority is to join Barcelona.

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The 22-year-old is reportedly so eager to make the move to Camp Nou that he's even willing to accept a lower salary to ensure the transfer goes through.

Barcelona's interest in Williams has surged in recent days, with insiders describing a shift in the club’s stance. What was once a cautious pursuit has now become a top-priority operation. Current Barcelona players are said to have endorsed the move internally, urging president Joan Laporta to act decisively.

While Athletic Club have set a firm price tag of €58 million, which must be paid in full due to their no-negotiation stance on release clauses, Barcelona are working behind the scenes to explore ways to manage the financial strain. The Blaugrana’s ongoing financial restrictions and La Liga’s tight salary cap regulations pose potential complications.

In contrast, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are both reportedly prepared to pay the full clause immediately and offer more lucrative personal terms. However, Williams remains focused on joining Barcelona, driven by his long-standing admiration for the club and its playing style.

Barcelona vs Financial Fair Play

Despite their ambition, Barcelona must tread carefully. Laporta and the board are currently assessing whether the club can realistically afford the full €58 million payment while staying compliant with financial fair play rules.

The alternative target, Luis Díaz of Liverpool, remains on the table due to the possibility of a more flexible payment structure — but Williams' desire has pushed him to the top of the shortlist.

What This Means for Arsenal

Arsenal had considered Williams a dream signing to bolster their attack and had been monitoring the player for months. His speed, technical ability, and creativity would have fit seamlessly into Mikel Arteta’s system.

But with the Spaniard set on a move to Catalonia, Arsenal must now turn their attention elsewhere, unless Barcelona fail to secure the necessary funds or back out.

Williams’ 2023/24 Season at a Glance:

Appearances: 45 (all competitions)

Goals: 11

Assists: 7

As it stands, Barcelona now hold the advantage — but with financial hurdles still in play, Arsenal and Bayern remain on standby, hoping the door may reopen. For now, though, it’s clear: Nico Williams wants to be a Blaugrana.