Report: £50m player now knows Arsenal want to sign him but he'd rather join another club

One of Mikel Arteta’s key targets is now ‘aware’ of Arsenal’s interest, but his preference is to join another club this summer.

The Gunners haven’t signed any new players in this window.

Yes, they’ve turned David Raya’s loan into a permanent deal, but everyone knew that was going to happen when he joined in 2023.

Things are expected to get busier as we get closer to the start of the new Premier League season, and Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign a number of top-quality players.

An update has now emerged about one of them.

Nico Williams is now ‘aware’ that Arsenal want to sign him

Nico Williams has become a household name after helping Spain win Euro 2024.

The Spaniard has been a wanted man for well over a year now, but his popularity has gone through the roof after his performances in Germany.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move to sign Williams this summer, as are a number of other clubs in England.

Reports have claimed that Mikel Arteta has changed his mind on Williams after initially cooling his interest in the talented 22-year-old attacker. He wants to sign him now.

GiveMeSport has now shared an update on the situation.

The report claims that Williams is ‘aware’ that Arsenal want to sign him, but his preference, as things stand, is to join Spanish giants Barcelona.

That’s why Arsenal are now just hopeful of signing him rather than being optimistic – they clearly know that a move to the Emirates is not his priority at the moment.

The report adds that Barcelona are now waiting for a response from Williams after putting a contract on the table.

The Catalans are said to be ‘supremely confident’ that they will be able to afford his £50 million release clause and his salary.

Another winger is keen to join Arsenal

Signing Williams was always going to be difficult.

Barcelona have had an eye on the winger since before he extended his contract at Athletic Bilbao in 2023. His good mate Lamine Yamal is shining at the Camp Nou and reuniting with him after their successful Euro 2024 partnership makes a lot of sense.

Williams is not the only winger Arsenal have been linked with – they have had an eye on a number of other top-quality wide players too.

Reports have revealed that Wolves star Pedro Neto is ‘keen’ to join Arsenal this summer, and he would be a great option if he can stay fit.

It remains to be seen if the Gunners will spend big to sign Neto despite his injury issues over the years.