Arsenal join Chelsea in transfer race for Nico Williams alternative as announcement already made

Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Athletic Club star Nico Williams this summer. The Gunners have been known admirers of the attacker for some time, and were said to be considering a move for the 22-year-old last summer before his heroics at Euro 2024 with Spain.

However, a move did not come to fruition with the Basque star staying in Bilbao. A move for Williams would be fairly easy for Arsenal to complete if they did decide to make a move, with the attacker said to have a release clause in his contract for around €67million (£57.1million).

However, one potential stumbling block in any move for the young star could be his high wages, with the attacker known to be one of the club's highest-paid stars. The club's unique selection policy means they rarely spend big in the transfer market, and so can offer higher wages to keep their most talented players.

And the Gunners are said to be looking at other targets, with German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten stating that the north London side have made contact over a potential move for Borussia Dortmund attacker Jamie Gittens.

football.london understands that Chelsea are also keen on the 20-year-old, although have not started talks with his camp yet. It was reported in Germany recently that the Blues were in constant dialogue with the Englishman's entourage but such speculation is understood to be wide of the mark.

Arsenal are apparently one of a number of sides considering a move, and according to the German outlet are 'ahead of the game'. Gittens would reportedly be keen on a move to the Gunners for a number of reasons.

The young English star is said to have his sights set on representing the senior Three Lions team at the World Cup in 2026, and a move to a top Premier League side would be a boost in trying to catch the attention of England boss Thomas Tuchel. The Gunners are also said to be a slightly more stable prospect than Chelsea when it comes to conditions at the club and playing time, which could aid his national-team prospects.

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Gittens has already announced his departure internally, making a number of statements in the dressing room which indicate he will be leaving while also making a request to the club through his consulting agency 'Elite Project Group Limited'.

Dortmund are said to be targeting around €50million-€60million (£42.6million-£51.1million) to allow Gittens to leave, which would represent a big profit on their part having convinced the youngster to join the club's academy back in 2022.

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