Director Andrea Berta has personally held talks over signing a high-earning player as one of his first actions at Arsenal, and it is believed the Gunners target could now be tempted to join Mikel Arteta’s side as a result.
Andrea Berta's list of forward targets at Arsenal
Rumours have surrounded the acquisition of a new striker for Arsenal this summer, with Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko all repeatedly linked.
Arsenal: Berta tells Arteta to sign "powerful" forward likened to Aguero
He’s been compared to Man City’s all-time top goalscorer.
2 ByEmilio GalantiniApr 2, 2025
Following Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz’s long-term injuries, the need for another prolific option up top is made all the more prevalent, with midfielder Mikel Merino currently being used as an emergency makeshift striker.
Everton (away)
April 5th
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
TBD
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Arsenal are developing a strong interest in Gyokeres to fill the void from next season, according to David Ornstein, while fellow reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has tipped Berta to make an offer for Isak.
However, while a new striker is believed to be high on Berta’s agenda, the Italian also plans to upgrade Arteta’s wide options.
According to GiveMeSport, Arsenal are targeting a left-winger this summer, and they’re even pondering the possibility of bringing in someone who can compete with Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side.
Last summer, under ex-director Edu, Arsenal displayed a real interest in Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams for the role.
It was reported at the time that Williams was a top target for Arteta, off the back of an impressive 2023/2024 campaign where he bagged 19 assists in all competitions, but the Spain international opted to remain at Bilbao for this season.
The 22-year-old’s contract includes a £48 million release clause, and Arsenal’s interest hasn’t gone away. However, they face very stiff competition for his services, as Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also targeting Williams.
Andrea Berta holds Arsenal talks with Nico Williams targeted
That is according to The Guardian and journalist Ed Aarons, who states that Berta has personally held Arsenal transfer talks with Williams’ representatives in “one of his first acts” as director.
In his report for The Guardian, Aarons also reports Berta’s influence could tempt Williams to join Arsenal over elite clubs in the race for his signature – following two years of heavy scouting from the Gunners.
The £200,000-per-week forward is also expected to push for a summer exit, but while his £48m release clause will be enticing, the major obstacle will lie in his rumoured wage demands. Williams apparently wants as much as £300,000-per-week at his new club, which would make him Arsenal’s highest-paid player.
The question is, would he be worth it? Williams carries a reputation as one of La Liga’s most highly-rated young attacking stars, completing the fifth-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 in the entire division (WhoScored), and his exciting style would hand Arsenal another major weapon in the final third.
His return has lessened this season compared to last – scoring nine goals and assisting seven others in all competitions – but his form has picked up lately as we approach the summer window.