Reports in France have claimed that Arsenal's new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has already held 'discussions' with Williams's representatives. Foot Mercato flag-up heavy-handed interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Arsenal in Williams.

The Spain star now appears likely to leave his boyhood club this summer. The reports hint at a possible summer move for the winger - with Mikel Arteta's squad struggling with injuries in attack this season. football.london understand that Arsenal have had a long-standing interest in the Spanish player who has scored nine goals across all competitions so far this season for Bilbao.

And their hopes of striking a deal will have been boosted at the news of Barcelona's continued financial struggles. The Covid pandemic and stadium renovations have seen board members cough up millions to keep the club within the Spanish top-flight's financial fair play rules.

Those problems continue to emerge after La Liga recently un-registered Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, because the Catalan giants did not meet a December 31 deadline on financial controls. The Spanish sports council upheld that decision on Thursday, but Olmo and Victor face uncertain futures at the Camp Nou beyond this season.