Arsenal’s ambitions to sign Nico Williams faltered when his unprecedented wage demands forced sporting director Andrea Berta to shift focus towards securing alternative marquee targets.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Nico Williams hit a major roadblock when his salary demands shocked the club. Fotnet24.net reports that the winger insisted on becoming the highest-earning star at Emirates Stadium, a proposal that the Gunners found unsustainable.
Mikel Arteta’s men now face a daunting Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. The Gunners prepare for Tuesday’s first leg at Emirates Stadium while the club braces for another second-place finish in the Premier League race.
Despite injury woes, Arsenal has managed a strong season and now aims to bolster their squad for a more competitive campaign next season. The club is actively revamping its lineup to challenge European giants and domestic rivals alike.
Initially, Arsenal greenlit a summer spending spree worth over £150m. The targets included LaLiga’s Martin Zubimendi, Nico Williams, and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, each seen as key pieces in Arteta’s long-term project.
The deal for Williams collapsed after he demanded a weekly salary surpassing Kai Havertz’s £280,000 at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal even considered meeting his €58m exit clause, but his conditions forced the club to cut ties with the transfer.
With Williams off the table, Berta now eyes Zubimendi and Gyokeres, with their combined fee reported at around £106.8m. High confidence surrounds a move for Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, while talks with Gyokeres’ representatives progress rapidly.
Additional sources reveal that Arsenal remains open to further discussions with Williams’ camp despite the setback. The club also shows interest in Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss, and it closely monitors the Bayern star scenario amid pressure from Harry Kane, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko looks set to embrace a move to north London.
