Nico Williams has already pledged his loyalty to Athletic Club amid reports Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the young winger.
While the Gunners searched for a new wide player in the summer, Wiliams dashed fans' hopes that he would soon be heading to the Emirates Stadium. A pivotal player in Spain's triumph at Euro 2024, he was unmoved by the fresh interest in him over the summer. "It's good big teams have you on their agenda, but I've always been clear, I want to be here," Williams told Mundo Deportivo in September.
"Athletic Club is a different feeling that you don't get at other clubs. I'm really looking forward to doing big things at this club. There were approaches from many clubs. My heart is with Athletic. I have a contract here, but who knows what happens in future. I wanted to stay because playing in Europe with Athletic Club was what I was most excited about."
The Athletic has reported that Arteta is keen on Williams, who tops his list of wide targets. Arsenal's attack is partly blunted by Bukayo Saka's absence, but persuading Williams to leave the Basque club may prove challenging for the Gunners.
Arsenal are reportedly looking to boost their attacking options in the January transfer windows to keep up with Premier League leaders Liverpool. Their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday after squandering a two-goal lead further highlighted their lack of consistency this season.
Ever since Saka was sidelined with a hamstring injury in December, Arsenal's attack has somewhat misfired, and his absence may hasten an approach for Williams. The Bilbao star has emerged as one of the sport's leading forwards, but Arsenal are not the only club monitoring the Spain international.
He played a key role in helping his childhood club secure their first Copa del Rey title since 1984 last season before impressing for his country in the summer. After failing to snap up Williams, Arsenal brought in Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea, but the former Manchester City ace has struggled to recapture his best form in north London.
Williams remains Arsenal's primary target for the position, though Barcelona are also long-time admirers and are believed to have had a bid rejected last summer. Meanwhile, Liverpool may consider him a potential replacement for Mo Salah should the Egyptian fail to agree to a new contract, while Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City are all credited with an interest.
Williams reportedly has a release clause of just under £50million, which will need to be paid in full if it is activated. As one of Bilbao's highest earners, an increase to his reported weekly wage of £166k would also be expected if he were to leave them.
Arteta has hinted at a potential move this January, with squad depth concerns growing increasingly problematic. Frustrated by his limited options off the bench, he contrasted the depth of his squad to league leaders Liverpool, who relied on late goals from substitute Darwin Nunez to defeat Brentford at the weekend.
"They managed to do that [win late at Brentford], they made the subs, they made the impact and changed the game," Arteta said. "In our side it was the opposite. After conceding the two Villa goals very close to each other, I knew the team could go downhill because we were physically drained but suddenly they found another gear to go again."