Athletic Bilbao have explained why Nico Williams was absent for their La Liga clash against Real Betis amid deadline day transfer links to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is still a huge admirer of the Spain international and while his £50million release clause is certainly affordable, his wages continue to be the main stumbling block.
Following deals for Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, Williams was the dream target for Arsenal in the final weeks of the 2024 summer window but a deal was never agreed. Instead, Raheem Sterling was brought in on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
As he will return to Stamford Bridge in the summer, despite claims his loan could be cancelled early, Arteta and Co. heading back into the market for a winger is expected. Despite impressing at Euro 2024, Williams has struggled for consistent form at club level with just nine goal contributions picked up from 30 games in all competitions.
The 21-year-old looked set for a chance to improve that tally on Sunday evening as Bilbao took on Real Betis. However, he was surprisingly omitted from the squad with the game going on to finish 2-2 which saw his side’s 13-game unbeaten run in La Liga continue.
Despite having played 89 minutes, and scoring in a 3-1 Europa League win, just a few days earlier, a club statement confirmed he was missing due to injury. “Medical report: Nico Williams & Unai Nunez,” an update on Sunday read.
“Both players will miss Sunday’s LaLiga match against Real Betis Nico Williams and Unai Núñez are unavailable for Athletic Club’s LaLiga clash with Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday. “Nico has a strain in his left hamstring muscles and Nuñez has a hamstring injury in his right leg.”
Deadline day links to Arsenal have ramped up but a deal does look unlikely with it far more feasible their interest is formally renewed this summer. Even if the Gunners did want to make a late push, Williams having a muscular issue may put them off with Arteta likely wanting any signing to make an immediate impact.
Speaking about bringing a player in this month, Arteta said: “My opinion is clear that we lost two very very important players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. “So we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the frontline, it’s clear.
“It is clear that in the period that we lost them, ideally we need some help. “We were short already and now we are even shorter.
“The team still copes with that.” Then, at the weekend he added: “I have been focused in the last 24 hours on what we needed to do to beat Man City. “Intention, we have been clear from every angle of what we want to do.”
Arsenal are back in action when they play Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup later this week. The Gunners currently trail 2-0 in the tie after defeat at the Emirates Stadium last month.
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