The Premier League runners-up have already brought in David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori. Merino is on the verge of joining Arsenal next, and he is a solid addition to their squad.
Those three signings make the Gunners stronger than they were at the end of last season, but Mikel Arteta would ideally want one more before the window shuts.
On the Transfers Podcast, David Ornstein has named one player Arsenal and Arteta really like.
David Ornstein reveals the problem for Arsenal in Nico Williams deal
Nico Williams has been a target for Arsenal since before the summer transfer window opened.
The Spain international had a terrific 2023/24 season in La Liga, and his stock went to a whole new level following his performances at Euro 2024.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move to sign Williams, but the winger is on the radar of a number of other clubs as well, including Chelsea and Barcelona.
Barca looked like the favourites to sign him a few weeks ago, but that deal collapsed and they have signed Dani Olmo instead.
Ornstein has revealed that Arsenal and Arteta still really like Williams, but there are issues which may prevent the Gunners from signing him.
So, as things stand, it looks like the Spaniard will stay at Athletic Bilbao, claims Ornstein.
He said: “The one that Mikel Arteta and those involved at Arsenal really like is Nico Williams at Athletic Bilbao.
“But, he’s the apple of everybody’s eye – Barcelona, Chelsea, anybody who could get hold of him would. We saw why at the Euros in particular for a wider audience.
“There’s a problem there that he’s already on a really high wage, which will only increase when he comes to a country and league such as England and the Premier League. And a release clause in his contract at Bilbao that will need to be paid in full.
“Very few players leave there and it would appear that he’s going to be staying.”
How much is Nico Williams’ release clause?
Almost every top club in the world would gladly sign Williams, but it’s not easy.
The Spaniard, firstly, is on huge wages and reports have revealed that Williams is looking for £300,000-a-week at his next club.
That alone makes it incredibly difficult, but before salary even comes into the equation, Arsenal or any other interested club will have to trigger his release clause.
That is set at £49 million (90min), and the entire amount needs to be paid at once.
That’s the biggest reason why Williams is still at Bilbao, and we won’t be surprised if that remains the case when the transfer window shuts next Friday.
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