Arsenal face two new PL rivals for winger chased since 2024

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Arsenal's long-running pursuit of Nico Williams has taken another turn, with two Premier League rivals reportedly entering the picture for the Athletic Club winger.

According to Fichajes, Manchester United and Chelsea are both now monitoring Williams and are prepared to make an approach if they sense the Spain international is open to leaving Bilbao. The report adds that Arsenal have not walked away from the situation and continue to track his position closely.

It is worth noting that Fichajes are not regarded as a tier one outlet, and this should be treated as speculation rather than a concrete development. There is no suggestion of formal bids or talks from any of the three clubs.

A pursuit that dates back to 2024

Arsenal's interest in Williams is no secret. The Gunners have been linked with the 24-year-old since the summer of 2024, when he was one of the standout performers of Spain's European Championship triumph, and the name has resurfaced in almost every window since.

What has consistently blocked the move is Williams himself. The winger has repeatedly chosen to stay at Athletic Club, the side he came through with and where he plays alongside his brother Inaki, and he committed his future to the Basque club by signing a long-term deal roughly a year ago.

That contract carries a release clause, which remains the realistic route to any transfer. But as the report points out, triggering the clause is only half the battle — a suitor would still need to convince Williams that the timing is right to leave the only club he has played senior football for.

Competition sharpens the picture

The involvement of United and Chelsea changes the dynamic if Williams ever does soften his stance. Both clubs have shown a willingness to spend heavily on attacking talent in recent windows, and both would be able to offer Champions League or European football as part of the pitch depending on how the campaign unfolds.

For Arsenal, the profile has always made sense on paper. Williams is a direct, left-sided winger who attacks defenders one-on-one and stretches back lines vertically — a different threat to the more controlled, inverted approach Mikel Arteta's wide players have often been asked to provide.

Whether that translates into a genuine move is another matter entirely. Arsenal have circled this situation for more than two years without getting close to a resolution, and the player's public position has not shifted in that time.

Athletic Club's model also makes them an awkward negotiating partner. The Basque side do not need to sell, operate under their famous recruitment policy, and have historically forced buyers to go through the release clause rather than accept a negotiated fee.

For now, Williams remains an Athletic player and appears settled. Arsenal, like United and Chelsea, will simply have to keep watching for any sign that the situation changes.