Arsenal are in the market for attacking help in the summer 2025 transfer window after paying the price of not signing a top striker in summer 2024, which has been complete annihilation at the hands of Liverpool in the 2024/25 Premier League table.
The Gunners will almost assuredly be after a striker in the upcoming summer market, and there is a gamut of strong, emerging options up top such as Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, and potentially more.
But Arsenal don’t just need a new striker to spice up the attack. The North London giants should also be looking for more wingers. A right winger to back Bukayo Saka up would be nice, but someone to compete heavily with Gabriel Martinelli on the left side should be nearly as big of a priority as a striker.
The good news is that Arsenal are, reportedly, looking in that direction. According to a report from BILD’s Tobias Altschaffl and Christian Falk, while Arsenal are indeed in talks with Leroy Sane’s agent for a free transfer this summer, the Bayern Munich right winger (who can also play on the left or as a midfielder) is not actually their priority on the flank.
Arsenal still want Nico Williams
Instead, Arsenal continue to dream of signing LaLiga young gun Nico Williams, who became a darling transfer target for the likes of the Gunners, rivals Chelsea, and Spanish giants Barcelona after playing a vital role in Spain hoisting the European Championship in 2024.
Williams remains on Barca’s transfer radar after Lamine Yamal recruited his close friend heavily last year, and, funnily enough, Bayern Munich are also reportedly in the mix and in need of a shakeup of their aging winger core – Michael Olise could use a new partner on the left side.
Athletic Club had the financial might to give Williams a salary raise sufficient enough to coax him into staying, because, like most Bilbao stars, he has a special affinity to his club, further enhanced by the fact that he shares the attack with his iconic brother Inaki Williams.
But Arsenal have a lot to play for, including Champions League and Premier League titles, which can be an additional element to coax Nico into coming. Of course, Nico and Leroy play different positions, since Sane is a left-footer better on the right side.
So it’s not out of the question for Arsenal to sign both. Sane, after all, is free, and while he would command high wages, he isn’t that old at 29 and has great Premier League experience as a former Manchester City star who worked closely with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta while at the Etihad.
Joe Soriano covers West Ham for Green Street Hammers and writes about Real Madrid for The Real Champs. He has extensive experience covering world football since 2014. Joe is an editor for The Trivela Effect, where he covers the biggest clubs in European football. He has watched professional sports regularly since 2002 and can be found playing the same sports he covers with his friends.