Manchester City and Arsenal apparently could be set to go toe-to-toe in the race to sign one of the world’s most exciting attackers in the summer.
The 2024/25 season has been a hugely underwhelming one for Manchester City, and it’s fair to say that Arsenal have now leap-frogged them in the Premier League power stakes.
Pep Guardiola now faces arguably the biggest challenge of his career to date – getting his Man City side back to the very top of the game.
In order to do that, there will undoubtedly need to be a fairly big turnover of players when the summer transfer window opens.
And making a blockbuster signing in order to send out a message of intent is exactly what the City boss should be aiming for in the off-season.
Guardiola will be looking to oversee a big squad revamp at The Etihad this summer, with numerous top tier signings required.
The Man City boss made a big statement of intent in January, by bringing Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez to The Etihad.
However, the truth of the matter is that more new additions will be required, in order to freshen up the ageing Man City squad.
There is one player in particular who is drawing attention from Pep, and he would be a truly blockbuster signing for Manchester City.
However, there are two major problems that the Premier League champions face, if they are to bring him to Manchester in the summer.
Manchester City trailing Arsenal in Nico Williams race
Pep has a seriously big task lying ahead of him at The Etihad this summer.
If he is to get his Man City side back to the astounding levels of domination they’ve shown over the past six years, he needs to make a big splash in the summer window.
And signing Nico Williams would certainly be a big statement of intent from Man City.
According to a report from El Nacional, the Athletic Bilbao attacker will demand a extortionate salary worth €11 million (£9.15 million) per season…NET!
Due to the tax bracket in England where the top earners are docked 45% of their salary, that works out at a whopping £175k-a-week net, or £318k-a-week gross!
Meanwhile, Tuttomercatoweb claim that Manchester City are very keen to prise him away from San Mames, although Arsenal are favourites to win the race for his signature right now.
Described by Optus Sport as ‘world-class’, Williams really does have outstanding potential, and he’s an elite talent.
The Spain international is exactly the type of player Pep Guardiola needs to fire his side back to the very top of the game.
£48 million for a player with Williams’ potential has to be seen as a monumental bargain.
Sure, he’s asking for a huge pay packet, but if Pep manages to move on some of the ageing big earners this summer, there will be plenty of funds available to plough into Williams’ salary.
Manchester City should be going all out for Nico Williams
The Spaniard possesses blistering pace, and is a really explosive talent. He would offer Man City a completely different option on the left wing.
Williams not only has blistering pace in his locker but his technical ability and end product set him apart from the rest.
He’d be a huge upgrade on Jeremy Doku, there’s no doubt about that.
Williams is in the top 95th and 96th percentile for progressive carries and successful take-ons respectively in world football (Fbref).
The Athletic Bilbao forward bagged eight goals and 19 assists in 37 appearances last season – a fantastic return for someone so young.
The 22-year-old only has four goals and five assists in 30 games to his name this season, but don’t let that drop off fool you.
Progress for young players, especially attackers, is seldom linear. There are always bumps along the road, but Williams has never hidden, and always demands the ball.
The fleet-footed winger always makes himself available for his teammates, and it is clear to see that he will be a superstar in the not-too-distant future.
Manchester City have to find a way to beat Arsenal in the race for the signing of Nico Williams in the summer transfer window.
It could end up being the transfer that swings the pendulum back in City’s favour.
