Transfer Bombshell: Andrea Berta's Arsenal Revolution Begins - Nico Williams Linked as Shock First Signing in Sensational Summer Move

It is not mathematically impossible to win the title but it looks as if it will be three seasons in a row finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for Arsenal.

After back-to-back second place finishes behind Manchester City, it is Liverpool that the Gunners are trailing this time. And with 15 points between the two teams and Arsenal having just 10 games to play, it looks a lost cause.

Manager Mikel Arteta made headlines when he walked out of an interview with Sky Sports after being asked about the title race, with the common feeling that a lack of depth in the forward departments has cost the Gunners.

Arteta wanted to sign a forward in the summer transfer window and only ended up with Raheem Sterling on loan on deadline day. He wanted to strengthen again in January, after injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and a season-ender for Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal signed no one and soon after Kai Havertz picked up a season-ending injury too, leaving the Gunners well short of options in the forward line. And it has hurt them.

Sporting director Edu resigned in November, leaving Jason Ayto in interim charge, but a new permanent director is expected to join the club before the summer transfer window repons, with football.london understanding Andrea Berta is due to take up the role later this month.

Given his links to La Liga, there are a number of natural choices to be his first signing in the role. Arsenal have been heavily linked with Martin Zubimendi in the past and have held talks over a deal to sign the midfielder who had looked set to move to Liverpool last summer.

Arsenal will need midfield reinforcements with Jorginho and Thomas Partey set to leave at the end of their contracts in north London. But a forward is higher priority.

That's where Nico Williams comes in. The Spaniard was another the Gunners were linked with in the summer but the Euro 2024 winner decided to stay with Athletic Club for another season instead.

Williams has nine goals and seven assists for the Spanish side this season, helping them to fourth in the league and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, as per Sport Witness, Arsenal have already opened talks with Williams' representatives over a deal, with the release clause thought to be between €60million and €80million. That's anywhere between £50million and £67million currently.