Arsenal 'in contact' over huge Nico Williams deal as fresh transfer blow emerges

Arsenal have three months to wait before they are able to go into the transfer market for new signings.

The Gunners opted not to make any new additions to their squad during the January transfer window, despite plenty of links claiming that a new striker was on the shortlist. It remains to be seen if Arsenal will look to add a new centre forward to their squad at the end of the season, with plenty of rumours already emerging about the potential business that may be in the works.

On the pitch, Arsenal are currently preparing to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. The Gunners go into the game in second place in the table and 15 points behind leaders Liverpool, with the clash against the Blues their game in hand.

Here, football.london takes a look at some of the latest Arsenal transfer news and gossip that have emerged over the last 24 hours.

Arsenal hold Nico Williams transfer 'talks'

Arsenal are reportedly in the race to sign Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams. However, it seems that the Gunners are not the favourites to sign the Spain international.

Sport Bild reporter Christian Falk has claimed that Arsenal have already been in talks with Williams' representatives over signing the forward. Bayern Munich also have an interest in a deal, although it has not been stated if any talks have taken place over bringing the 23-year-old to the Allianz Arena.

Williams is under contract at Bilbao until 2027 and is reported to have a €60million (£50.7million) release clause in his deal.

football.london says: Williams has been linked with Arsenal for some time, and it seems that the rumours aren't going away any time soon. But if Bayern Munich are interested then the Gunners will have to do all they can to convince the player to move to North London rather than Munich this summer.

Bruno Guimaraes 'stance' amid Arsenal links

Arsenal have reportedly been handed a blow in their apparent hopes of signing Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The Gunners have been tentatively linked with a move for the Brazilian in recent months, and now an update has emerged about his future.

Give Me Sport have reported that Newcastle are of the belief that Guimaraes is not pushing to leave St James' Park to join a new club amid links to Arsenal. As a result the Magpies are apparently confident that the club captain will still be in their squad next season, even though the Gunners reportedly remain interested in the midfielder.

football.london says: Arsenal were first linked with Guimaraes towards the end of last year, and rumours have begun emerging again that the Gunners may look to sign the Newcastle star in the summer. Midfield has been an area of the squad that Arsenal may look to strengthen, but if Guimaraes is happy to remain at St James' Park then the Gunners may be wise to look at alternative targets.

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