Unlike last season when they concluded their business very early, Edu and Arteta are undergoing a different approach at Arsenal this summer.
Conscious of their already large squad and adhering to future PSR calculations, Arsenal want to sell players before they buy replacements.
After they conclude a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal still want to buy three more players, but will be patient.
Arsenal’s imminent purchase of Calafiori is an exception in that regard – the club aren’t going to wait around to sell the likes of Jakub Kiwior or Oleksandr Zinchenko first.
But when targeting the likes of Mikel Merino, perhaps Emile Smith Rowe will need to reluctantly depart beforehand, in order to avoid players sitting on the sidelines with insignificant roles.
However, this policy could be about to cost Arsenal in pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.
Williams is Arteta’s number one Arsenal target this summer, but the north Londoners are not alone.
Paris Saint-Germain make enquiry to sign Arsenal target Nico Williams
Arsenal have already been contending with Barcelona’s determination to sign Williams, who are seemingly undeterred by their troubling financial situation.
And now according to The Athletic, PSG have now been in contact to sign Williams as a potential Kylian Mbappe replacement.
Nico Williams of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion o...
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
As mentioned, the French champions have joined the race alongside Barcelona and have already submitted an enquiry.
Of course, this can only be seen as bad news from Arsenal’s point of view, who are currently trying to offload the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson before they possibly make their own move.
But whilst Arsenal try to clear space in their squad and on their wage bill, PSG and Barca don’t seem willing to wait around.
The report reiterates that Williams has a release clause between €55m-€60m this summer – which now appears to be something of a bargain after his performances at the Euros.
However, Williams’ wages would be an issue at Arsenal, and perhaps the club are sensible to not make a move until there is a satisfactory financial plan in place.
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