Arsenal suffer major transfer blow as Barcelona agree personal terms with top target

Barcelona have reportedly agreed personal terms with Spain star Nico Williams for a move to the Camp Nou following Euro 2024.

Williams has been one of the brightest stars of this summer’s European Championship, playing a key role alongside Lamine Yamal with La Roja booking their place in the final after a 2-1 win over France on Tuesday.

21-year-old Williams has attracted interest from the Premier League with Chelsea thought to be keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella, who has also starred in that Spanish team, has been doing his bit to get his countryman to west London having urged him to join Chelsea this summer.

Williams is also highly thought of at Arsenal and if the club to decide to bring in a winger this summer, he is Mikel Areta’s first choice to fill that role.

Barcelona however are hoping to keep the Athletic Bilbao star in Spain with Sport reporting they have agreed a deal in principle to bring him to the club.

Barcelona officials reportedly met with Williams’ agent Felix Tainta last week where an agreement was met between the club and the Spain star. Personal terms over a move to the Catalan giants were agreed with hope a deal with Williams’ club can now be struck.

Williams signed a new long-term contract at Athletic last year but that deal includes a release clause of around £50million.

Barcelona remain dogged by financial problems and are currently unable to register new players. Despite those challenges, club president Joan Laporta is confident the club will soon have the money available to sign Williams.

‘Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams,’ Laporta told Catalunya Radio on Monday.

‘Nico’s a player I like — I like him a lot. We are working with [new coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings. Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on.

‘Shortly we will be able to announce some good news with regard to the financial [issues] and we will be back within LaLiga’s Fair Play limits.

‘And that will allow further good news in terms of [signings].’