‘Other options’: Club president says he’s no longer trying to sign Mikel Arteta’s number one Arsenal target

All the speculation around Nico Williams’ future has suggested that Barcelona and Arsenal are the favourites to sign him if he leaves Athletic Bilbao in the summer.

Andrea Berta is pushing to sign Bilbao’s Williams as the Italian sporting director has set his sights on improving the Gunners’ attack.

However, the fear for Arsenal would have been that Barcelona were Williams’ ideal destination.

Being Spanish and having won the European Championship alongside Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri and Dani Olmo last year, the 22-year-old’s fascination with Hansi Flick’s side is understandable.

Joan Laporta says Barcelona aren’t looking to sign Arsenal target Nico Williams

However, Nico Williams is one of the most prodigious wingers in Europe and from Arsenal’s point of view, he could help improve a side who have clearly lacked a sense of cutting edge in the final third this campaign.

Williams is Mikel Arteta’s dream signing but what seemed difficult from Andrea Berta’s point of view is to persuade him to join the Gunners after Barcelona have stunned the world by beating Real Madrid to become La Liga champions.

Even so, Berta held talks to sign Williams as the former Atletico Madrid director of football knows how gifted he is.

But the good news for Arsenal is that president Joan Laporta has told TV3 that Barcelona are not looking to sign the Spaniard in the summer: “He was one of the candidates when we were evaluating [Dani] Olmo and Nico. We have a good profile of this player, who is an excellent player, but I think at this moment they are evaluating other options.

What Williams’ camp are now saying about a move to Arsenal

Arsenal are especially keen to sign Williams as they consider the youngster as the ideal candidate to push Gabriel Martinelli for a starting berth in the side.

This season, the Bilbao winger has registered 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions in what has been another promising campaign.

As for his future, Williams’ view on joining Arsenal or Chelsea is one where he is yet to make his mind up.

Deciding his next destination after Athletic Bilbao’s position in the Spanish top-flight is confirmed at the end of the season is the highly-rated forward’s mindset.

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