Arsenal transfer news: Gunners eye record deal and receive Nico Williams update

Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad this summer and new sporting director Andrea Berta will be a busy man, with a new striker top of the Gunners’ shopping list

Arsenal are set for a huge summer in the transfer market, having finished second in the Premier League for the third season in a row, and co-chairman Josh Kroenke has said the club are ready to back Mikel Arteta.

“We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season,” Kroenke said. “We’re delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea [Berta], who will play an important role in this.

“He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way.”

A deal for midfielder Martin Zubimendi is expected to be wrapped up soon, but Arsenal’s most pressing target is a new striker. With all that in mind, Mirror Football brings you some of the latest news and rumours from the Emirates…

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool bid rejected, Mbeumo latest and Arsenal ‘close’ to £38m dealREAD MORE: Nico Williams transfer: Athletic Bilbao release statement on Arsenal’s No.1 target

Record transfer deal

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a move for 17-year-old Greece international Konstantinos Karetsas.

According to reports in Greece, via the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Arsenal are in talks with Genk over a deal for the midfielder. It is claimed that an agreement is ‘very close’, with an overall package worth £38m on the table.

The deal would see Karetsas remain at Genk on loan for the 2025-26 campaign and would be a record fee for a Greek player, breaking the record set by Kostas Manolas when he joined Napoli from Roma for £30m in 2019.

Williams update

Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte has shared an update on Nico Williams’ future, with Arsenal keen on signing the winger.

“I believe we have a winning and interesting project for everyone, and Nico is part of that project, just like many other players,” Uriarte told Spanish outlet El Correo. “The project becomes easier if we keep our players – and I believe Nico and the rest of the squad have a very exciting year ahead.”

Williams currently has a release clause worth around £50m in his contract, which runs until 2027, but reports have claimed that Bilbao are attempting to persuade him to sign a new deal.

Tavares exit

Nuno Tavares has completed a permanent move to Lazio after spending last season on loan at the Serie A side.

Tavares joined Arsenal from Benfica for £8m back in 2021, but failed to become a regular starter as he made just 28 appearances across all competitions. He was shipped out on loan to Lazio last summer, where he made 30 appearances in all competitions.

And Lazio have now paid Arsenal £6m, which could rise to £7.5m, to make the move permanent. In a statement, Arsenal said: “Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Nuno for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future.”

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