Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams has agreed to join Barcelona despite interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
The Spain international is one of the most coveted widemen in Europe and has had a number of offers to leave the Basque Country this summer.
In addition to a striker, Arsenal are keen to sign another winger this summer and were giving serious thought to activating his €60million release clause with Real Madrid star Rodrygo and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon also among their targets.
Chelsea also want another wide option after deciding against signing Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal from Manchester United.
Bayern Munich have also made an offer in recent days but Williams has decided a move to Barcelona.
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The Athletic report the 22-year-old has reached a verbal agreement with the Catalan giants, who do not see his release clause as an issue.
Barcelona however do face a challenge in finding room on their bloated wage bill to register the winger.
The move will reunite Williams with Lamine Yamal, with the two terrorising teams on opposing flanks at Euro 2024 last summer.
The deal will surely end Barcelona’s interest in Luis Diaz. Reports have claimed the Colombia international was desperate to leave Liverpool to join the club he has supported as a boy.
It could also signal the end of Marcus Rashford’s hopes of joining Hansi Flick’s side. The Manchester United outcast is desperate to seal a ‘dream move’ to Barcelona and has made it clear he is willing to take a sizeable wage cut to make it happen.
According to Marca, Rashford is still pushing for a move to Barcelona despite Williams’ imminent arrival and is ‘willing to make every effort and sacrifice within his power’ to make the move happen.
Williams have chosen Barcelona despite receiving a bigger offer from Arsenal, according to recent reports in Spain.
It was claimed the Gunners are offering Williams a contract worth £7.6m-a-year – but the north London club will now continue their search elsewhere.
Hopes of signing Rodrygo from Real Madrid appear to be fading with Xabi Alonso reiterating his desire to keep the Brazil international in his squad heading into the new season.
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres remain the club’s striker targets with plenty of work still to be done in getting one of those deals across the line.
