After Mercato’s two strikes, “Arsenal” targets the “Spanish magician”.

Arsenal have resumed official contact with Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish winger Neco Williams in a bid to strengthen the left side of manager Mikel Arteta’s attack before the summer transfer window closes after deals for Morgan Rodgers and Bradley Barkula failed to materialize.

British website Team Talk reported that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta held direct talks with the 23-year-old Spanish international as part of a comprehensive assessment of the possibility of signing him.

The renewed interest in Williams comes after Arsenal failed to sign Rodgers, who moved to Chelsea, and continued uncertainty over the Barcola deal after Manchester United came in to make a formal bid for him.

Williams is set to enter the transfer window with a bang after his success with Spain at the 2026 World Cup, where he set up the winner in the final against Argentina with a clever header past Ferran Torres.

Although he suffered injuries that limited him to just 20 starts in the Spanish league last season, he returned at the right time and proved his quality at the highest levels.

Williams has signed a new long-term deal with Bilbao that includes a £77m (€90m) release clause available to Arsenal.

Sources have confirmed that Berta believes Williams, who has scored 74 goals and provided 37 assists in 199 games for Bilbao, is capable of providing the pace and efficiency that Arteta is looking for.

While Liverpool have previously tracked the player, Arsenal are currently leading the race given his insistence on strengthening the left-wing position before the transfer window closes to further his domestic and continental ambitions.