The genius £49m signing who could see Arsenal storm to Premier League title win

Watching Nico Williams tear up the left flank during Spain’s 1-0 win over Italy in the immediate aftermath of England’s doddering attacking display against Denmark on Thursday evening brought to mind that scene from The Simpsons in which Homer tries to build a barbecue pit. ‘That’s one fine looking winger’, you couldn’t help but think. ‘Why doesn’t mine look like that?’

This felt like an arrival as much as a clinic in full-back punishment, a purring statement of intent from one of the brightest young talents in European football. Williams’ meteoric rise in La Liga with boyhood club Athletic Bilbao is no grand secret, and his return of 19 assists and eight goals in 39 outings across all competitions last season spoke to an emerging talent of irrepressible proportions. But this was arguably the first time that the 21-year-old had peddled his wares on the global stage, and to that end, he was magnificent.

How unsurprising, then, for Fabrizio ‘Espresso Blood’ Romano to pop with a report on his transfer status this morning. Death, taxes, the self-anointed Italian transfer guru having something to say about a name trending on social media. Anyways, according to Fab, Williams has a release clause of around £49 million written into his contract in the Basque Country having agreed to a new deal not too long ago. For their part, you get the impression that Athletic are not overly worried about the prospect of him leaving. ‘We're not worried’, said club president Jon Uriarte.

And you want to believe him, you really do, but speculation continues to swirl, and Williams’ future continues to be discussed on a perpetual basis. Take, for instance, HITC’s report on the Spaniard. They suggest that Arsenal have already held talks with the player’s agent, and that they could look to enact a swoop this summer. Jostling with the Gunners are Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool, while the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich cast admiring glances from continental climes.

This is one race that Arsenal would be well-advised to win, however. For a considerable while now, it has felt as if the Gunners could benefit massively from the acquisition of another winger; Bukayo Saka rarely takes a break from running himself ragged out on the right, while cover and competition for Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the opposite flank would not go amiss.

In that regard, there can be few better viable options available this summer than Williams. Predominantly operating on the left, but versatile enough to play on either side, with pace to squander and a Poppins-esque carpet bag full of tricks at his disposal, the starlet is still some way off his prime but already looks to be one of the most nightmarish wide men in Europe.

If Arsenal are to progress beyond perennial bridesmaids, then this is exactly the kind of signing that they should be looking to make. Provided Romano’s information is correct and that £49 million valuation is concrete, then they have to pull the trigger, surely.