Mikel Arteta wants to bring Athletic Bilbao star to Arsenal | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a keen interest in signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, according to journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners have signed David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori this summer and they are expected to announce the arrival of Mikel Merino very soon.

However, a deal for Williams is far from straightforward, with Chelsea and Barcelona also interested in securing his services.

Any interested clubs would have to pay his £49 million release clause in full while his £171,000 per week would increase.

Arsenal can make big statement with late Williams deal

The Gunners have had a quiet summer transfer window by their usual standards. They were fancied to go on a spending spree to boost their chances of winning the Premier League.

However, the club have been conservative with their spending and have focused on landing players who can add more quality and depth.

Williams, who made 27 goal contributions from Athletic last term, would be a fantastic acquisition but the big question is whether the club can persuade him to move.

He is an assured starter at the Basque outfit, and Arteta would need to guarantee him a starting role on the left wing ahead of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal may have no room for negotiations with the La Liga club and will have to trigger the buy-out clause. Williams could also demand around £250,000 in weekly wages.

This is not an impossible task, considering the club did something similar four years ago. Thomas Partey was signed from Atletico Madrid after his £45m release clause was triggered.

The Ghanaian star went on to sign a £200,000 per week deal on his arrival.

Arsenal can make a big statement by luring Williams before the August 30 deadline. They could make a late swoop on deadline day to avoid any possible hijack.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com.