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Nico Williams sends transfer message to Arsenal ahead of Man Utd clash

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Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams has offered a subtle indication of his future plans just days before Athletic Bilbao’s Europa League semi-final clash with Manchester United. The 22-year-old winger has long been on the radar of the Gunners, who attempted to sign him following his standout performances for Spain at Euro 2024. While that move fell through, Arsenal’s interest has not cooled.

Barcelona have also kept close tabs on Williams, though recent reports suggest the Catalan club may be backing away from pursuing him this summer. That development could open the door for Arsenal, who now appear to be among the frontrunners to land the talented wide man. Williams is currently tied to a contract that includes a €58 million (£48.4m) release clause.

Despite dealing with injuries earlier in the season, Williams has delivered an impressive campaign, tallying 11 goals and seven assists across all competitions. His contributions in the Europa League have been particularly notable, with his goal against Rangers helping secure Bilbao’s place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 aggregate victory.

As Athletic prepare to face Manchester United in the penultimate round, Williams has voiced his desire to continue achieving success with his boyhood club. Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, he hinted at his ambitions and future goals, stating that playing at Old Trafford is a dream for any young footballer and expressing his intent to help Athletic win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League next season.

Williams emphasized his belief in the team’s humble but determined approach, noting the unity and form that have driven their deep run in Europe. He highlighted how much it would mean to reach the final, especially since it would be played at San Mamés, Bilbao’s home ground, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both players and fans.

However, while his commitment to the club remains strong, Williams’ future may not be entirely in his hands. His release clause presents an opportunity for top European sides to swoop in. With Barcelona reportedly cooling their interest, Arsenal are poised to make a move, especially as they look to bolster their attack this summer.

Newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly met with Williams’ representatives to explore a potential deal. Arsenal are not alone in the chase, though, as Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation and could yet launch bids of their own.

Adding a winger is one of three key objectives for Arsenal during the upcoming transfer window. The club is also targeting reinforcements at striker and central midfield as they prepare for another campaign among Europe’s elite.

Mikel Arteta recently expressed confidence in Arsenal’s ability to attract top talent. He pointed out that players are increasingly drawn to the club’s project and the progress made in recent years. According to the manager, Arsenal’s stature and style of play now make them a desirable destination for the best players on the market.

With Williams’ form and potential, the race for his signature will likely intensify as the season nears its conclusion. Arsenal’s pursuit, combined with the player’s ambitions, could make for one of the summer’s standout transfer stories.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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