Arsenal are preparing for a big summer transfer window with multiple incoming players. Mikel Arteta aims to reinforce his team in certain areas, which will allow the North Londoners to prepare a charge for the Premier League title.
Among all their transfer targets, Nico Williams tops the list. Arteta is a big fan of the Spain international and believes a lot in his potential.
Considering the all-important transfer window, Arsenal have appointed Andrea Berta as their new sporting director. Berta is expected to lead the transfer charge for the Gunners given his experience in Spain.
While Arsenal are willing to pay €60 million for the 22-year-old attacker, they are unsure about the player’s high salary demands. Berta recently had a meeting with Williams’ agent where he got to know about his demands.
As per a report from Diario Sport, citing the Telegraph, the Spain international has aspirations of getting an annual salary of €15 million.
His astronomical demands have made Arsenal reconsider their decision to go all out for Williams, who has reportedly made his ‘main condition’ to become the highest paid player at Arsenal. While the Gunners continues to value him a lot due to his great potential, they would not be ready to break their salary structure for the 22-year-old.
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Can Nico Williams move to Barcelona?
Along with Arsenal, Barcelona are another club interested in the Athletic Bilbao winger. The Blaugrana have been chasing him for a long time. But his high transfer fee and massive wages remain a roadblock for them aswell.
However, in a recent report for Sport Bild, Christian Falk revealed, Williams is closer to joining Barcelona than Arsenal.
Falk believes if the opportunity of wearing the Barcelona shirt arises, Williams may accept a lower salary only to play with his friends – Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Alejandro Balde.
“The situation at Barca is completely different,” Falk revealed. “Although the Catalan club is unable to offer him a contract at the level he could receive in the Premier League, Nico would be willing to accept a significantly lower salary if it means wearing the Blaugrana shirt. The reason is clear: his desire to play alongside friends and teammates like Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Pedri.”
While Arsenal are not completely out of the race to land Williams in North London, offering such an astronomical salary will break their team structure and hamper future transfer dealings.
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