Nico Williams future now clear as Arsenal sent clear transfer message and plan emerges
Arsenal have been handed a huge boost to their hopes of signing Athletic Bilbao's star winger Nico Williams after the player's agent opened up on his future.
Williams' name was on the lips of a host of clubs in the summer transfer window after he enjoyed a magnificent European Championships with Spain. The winger bagged two goals and an assist as the Spaniards won the trophy at the expense of England in the final.
The winger has returned slowly for Bilbao so far this season and has not yet got off the mark but that is unlikely to have dampened interest in his signature. Arsenal were reportedly monitoring Williams in the summer as they looked to add a winger to Mikel Arteta's side but eventually managed to sign Raheem Sterling on deadline day.
Liverpool and Barcelona are among the clubs to also hold an interest in the 22-year-old but missed out as the forward chose to remain at his current club. Now, clubs chasing Williams have been informed they could sign him next summer after his decison to remain at the Basque club during the previous transfer window.
In an interview with Cadena Ser, Williams' agent Felix Tainta has outlined the forward's immediate future - saying he will have 'one more year' at Athletic Bilbao.
"The kid decided to stay at Athletic for one more year," they explained. "Our job is to work for him and give him advice, but we can't put a gun to his head and force him to leave."
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Should Williams decide to move on at the end of this season, Barcelona are likely to be the favourites to sign the winger. The Gunners could have a strong negotiating hand though if they win the Premier League this season.
Either way, it appears the winger may well be on the move next summer meaning Arsenal will have to act soon in order to stand any chance of signing him.