Exclusive: Mikel Arteta ready to trigger €58 million release of long term Arsenal target Arsenal FC

Arsenal have made strengthening their attack in the summer transfer window one of their top priorities.

The Gunners have fallen short once again this season of winning the Premier League title.

Although the race is still not over mathematically, it is understood that Arne Slot’s Liverpool side will be crowned the Premier League champions while the Gunners may have to settle for second place for the third season in a row.

Mikel Arteta has already started working on making his team better for the next season and one of his aims is to sign Spain’s Euro 2024 winner.

According to Caught Offside sources, Arsenal are considering triggering the €58 million release clause of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

For a long time, the Gunners have been admirers of the Spanish winger and it looked like they will make the move for him last summer.

However, interest from both Arsenal and Barcelona did not prove decisive last summer and the Euro 2024 winner stayed with Ernesto Valverde’s side.

The Gunners plan to offer the winger a contract until 2030 in order to convince him to sign.

Williams is a pacey winger who has an eye for goal and he can help Arsenal’s attack by creating chances. He has nine goals and seven assists in all competitions for the Spanish side.

It is not a surprise to see the Gunners targeting a move for the 22-year-old since there is a desperate need of new attackers at the club.

Nico Williams is being targeted by Arsenal.

The club’s only wide players are Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard at the moment. They need more depth in the wide position and injuries to both Martinelli and Saka this season have proved costly, making Arteta work on options to improve the depth of the squad.

Williams’ last contract with Athletic Bilbao brought a significant increase in his salary and he currently earns around €200,000 per week.

Arsenal are said to be preparing a strong offer to lure the player to London by offering him better payment terms. The London club’s attractive offer for the youngster and Arteta’s projects give them a big advantage to convince Williams.

Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also interested. It is not clear whether the La Liga leaders will make another move for the Spaniard.

Arsenal’s London rivals Spurs and Chelsea could provide competition in the race to sign the Spain international star.

While one player could arrive at Arsenal from La Liga, another could leave to join the Spanish league.