Arsenal keeping tabs on Spanish winger lighting up Euro 2024

Nico Williams is lighting up Euro 2024 down Spain's left flank, and Arsenal are one of several clubs keeping tabs on the young winger.

Williams made Luis de la Fuente's 26-man squad for this summer's tournament off the back of an excellent season with Athletic Club during which he recorded 19 La Liga goal contributions, including 14 assists.

Despite the array of options at the manager's disposal, Williams secured a starting berth down Spain's left flank for the start of their Euro 2024 campaign and he was named UEFA's Man of the Match in their convincing 1-0 win over Italy on Matchday 2.

Williams produced an electric display in Gelsenkirchen, displaying immense poise and guile in one-v-one situations. His burst of pace often left Giovanni Di Lorezno in the dust, and Gianluigi Donnarumma was almost caught out by a speculative effort from range. In the end, it was Williams who worked the game's defining moment as his teasing left-footed cross was bundled into the Italian net by Riccardo Calafiori.

The 21-year-old garnered plenty of plaudits for his performance, with much being made of his release clause at Athletic Club.

Arsenal could trigger reasonable Nico Williams release clause

Williams signed a contract extension with the Basque club last December and, according to Fabrizio Romano, has a release clause in the region of €58m.

Arsenal's transfer priorities this summer are somewhat murky, but the club could be in the market for a wide player adept off both flanks. Williams' best work often comes from the left, but the Spaniard is good enough to shine more as a straight-line runner down the right.

The Athletic reports that Williams is a player Arsenal have on their 'wish list' this summer, but Chelsea are also keeping a close eye. Barcelona is also a realistic destination despite their financial woes, with Lamine Yamal trying his best to facilitate the move.

For now, though, Williams isn't actively trying to engineer an exit from Athletic. “I’ve seen reports talking about my future, but honestly I have no clue of anything,” he said in an interview last week. “Right now, I want to focus on the Euros and nothing else.

“I am so happy in Bilbao, I signed a new deal and performed well last season. I feel at home, but I don’t know what I will do. Nobody can tell you about the future.”

His one-v-one brilliance and ability to complete the final action would render Williams a great addition to Arsenal's ranks. The winger's prestige will inevitably rise off the back of Euro 2024 and a whole host of clubs are set to enter the race for his signature, but with the Gunners potentially shifting away from spending big at striker, perhaps Williams is the man they seek to bolster their frontline.

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