Nico Williams’ proposed move to Barcelona has stalled, offering Arsenal renewed hope of landing the Spain star this summer.
Mikel Arteta is eager to enlist the services of another winger this summer with Williams among a list of targets that also includes Rodrygo, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke.
Williams’ preference has been to join Barcelona, however, verbally agreeing a move to the Camp Nou with Hansi Flick’s side prepared to meet his €56million (£48m) release clause.
Barcelona have also explored moves for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford and Liverpool star Luis Diaz but Williams’ has been the club’s first choice target.
The move could now be jeopardy however with Mundo Deportivo reporting the deal has stalled with Barcelona officials furious with some of the demands put forward by Williams’ representatives in recent days.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
A six-year deal was agreed last week but negotiations have now come to a standstill over concerns whether Williams will be registered in time for the start of the new La Liga campaign.
Barcelona’s financial difficulties have caused plenty of issues with squad registration.
Last year, Dani Olmo missed the first two weeks of the season when the club were unable to register him without going over their salary cap.
Olmo was given a temporary registration until 30 December with Barcelona running the risk of losing him for the second-half of the season until Spain’s sports ministry stepped in.
Williams’ representatives want guarantees in the contract there will be no repeat of that situation.
Barcelona initially assured Williams there would no such issues but demands for those assurances to be put in writing have irked the Catalan giants.
Barcelona have been shocked by the development and regard the demands as ‘unacceptable’ with plenty of ‘concern and displeasure’ at the club having been effectively told their word is not good enough.
Barcelona are also still to pay Williams’ release clause at Athletic.
There is already tensions between the two with the Basque club recently confirming they have met with La Liga officials to question Barcelona’s ability to sign players and still stay in line with the league’s financial fair play rules.
Athletic would prefer to sell Williams to a club outside of Spain with Bayern Munich also still interested in the Spain international.
