Arsenal now want to sign £48m star with 27 goals/assists before deadline – report | OneFootball

Arsenal are interested in signing one of Spain’s best forwards before the transfer deadline, according to The Independent.

The Gunners have already signed David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori this summer and they are expected to confirm the arrival of midfielder Mikel Merino by the weekend.

It is now reported that the London giants are eyeing a high-profile winger and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is the number one priority before the window closes.

However, there is an acceptance that they may have to wait for a marquee wide player.

Williams does not want to leave Athletic after receiving the number 10 shirt while his medium-term aim is to play for Barcelona. He has the preference to stay in La Liga.

If Arsenal fail to sign the 22-year-old, they could target a Leandro Trossard-style purchase, who can offer something different. The budget would be far lower for such a signing.

Arsenal need another quality winger in the squad

The Gunners currently have Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as regular starters from the right and left wing. Trossard has provided good competition to Martinelli.

If Arsenal were to sign another wideman, the focus could be on pursuing someone who is adept at playing on both ends. Williams would be an ideal acquisition.

Mikel Arteta’s side are more than capable of triggering his £48 million release in full. The club could also make him one of the highest paid players in the squad.

However, the big question is whether Williams would leave his boyhood club in a short notice. He is unlikely to depart without them landing a successor.

With this in mind, it could be tough to convince him to move at such a late stage.

Williams, who managed 27 goal contributions for Athletic last term, is more likely to spend another year with the Basque outfit before pursuing a bigger challenge.

If that ends up being the case, Arsenal could look into a more experienced signing for a lower fee.

There are no names on the club’s radar at the present point of time, but things could change quickly as we approach the closure of the summer transfer window.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com