Williams confirms he rejected Arsenal approach as Brugge block £77m Tresoldi exit

Nico Williams has confirmed he rejected a direct approach from Arsenal, while Club Brugge have moved to block any winter move for striker Nicolo Tresoldi, dealing Mikel Arteta’s side two significant blows as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the January window.

Williams sets the record straight

The Athletic Club and Spain winger addressed claims made by his agent that suggested the representative was personally responsible for keeping Williams in Bilbao. Williams disputed that framing and, in doing so, confirmed he had been in contact with Arsenal before choosing to stay at his boyhood club.

The 24-year-old, who won Euro 2024 with Spain last summer, signed a new 10-year contract with Athletic Club in July. Barcelona had also been strongly linked with the winger following his standout performances at the tournament. Williams’s clarification makes clear the decision to remain in the Basque Country was his own.

Brugge close the door on Tresoldi

Arsenal had reportedly been eyeing a return to Club Brugge following their £34 million summer signing of Greek winger Christos Tzolis, whose promising start to life in north London — before injury intervened — appeared to encourage the club to look again at the Belgian champions’ squad.

Striking prospect Nicolo Tresoldi, 22, had emerged as a target, but Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reports that Brugge have made their position unambiguous. An unnamed board member is quoted as saying: “There is and will be no price for Nicolo.”

The Italy-born Germany under-21 international scored 23 goals in 58 appearances across all competitions in his debut season at Brugge, and has continued that form this term with 12 goals in his first 14 outings. That productivity has attracted interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City, among others — but Brugge appear determined to hold firm regardless of the queue forming.

Arteta’s January picture

The updates arrive as Arsenal prepare for a pivotal Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday, a fixture that will test the Gunners’ title credentials. Arteta’s side have not won back-to-back league titles in more than 90 years, and reinforcing the attack has been identified as a priority if they are to sustain a genuine challenge.

Arsenal had pursued several striking options in the summer before ultimately relying on Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres. With Tresoldi now seemingly off the table and Williams already committed to Athletic Club, the club’s recruitment team will need to look elsewhere to find the attacking reinforcement Arteta is seeking.