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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta wants to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao as a replacement for Gabriel Martinelli, according to a report.<\/p>\n
Martinelli<\/strong> was dubbed the \u201ctalent of the century\u201d by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp back in 2019, but the Brazil international winger\u2019s progress at Arsenal has been underwhelming.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old\u2019s importance in the Arsenal<\/strong> team under manager Mikel Arteta this season has dwindled, with the winger able to make only 10 starts in the Premier League.<\/p>\n While Martinelli has scored six goals and given two assists in six starts in the Champions League this season, just one goal and three assists in 947 minutes in the Premier League underline his ineffectiveness.<\/p>\n Martinelli is under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2027, with an option for a further year, but the north London club are planning to sell him at the end of the season.<\/p>\n According to TEAMtalk<\/em>Arsenal will sell Martinelli for \u00a350million in the summer of 2026, with the Premier League club\u2019s sporting director, Andrea Berta, already eyeing a move for Nico Williams to replace the Brazilian star.<\/p>\n READ: Arsenal midfielder \u2018doesn\u2019t hurt elite opponents enough\u2019 as Brazilian star \u2018ignored\u2019 Odegaard<\/strong><\/p>\n Williams<\/strong> was close to joining Barcelona last summer, but the Spain international winger eventually signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao with a release clause of \u20ac90million (\u00a378m).<\/p>\n Barcelona remain keen on the 23-year-old, but the Catalan giants are not in immediate need of a winger.<\/p>\n According to the report, this has \u2018allowed Arsenal to maintain a strong position in the race\u2019 for Williams.<\/p>\n Berta is said to be personally driving the Gunners\u2019 interest in Williams, with the Arsenal sporting director claimed to be \u2018a huge admirer\u2019 of the winger.<\/p>\n Williams is not having a great season, with injuries affecting his performances.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Five-year net spend table: Arsenal \u00a3675m spending dwarves Man City<\/strong><\/p>\n The 23-year-old, who won Euro 2024 with Spain, has scored four goals and given six assists in 28 matches in all competitions for Athletic this season.<\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s desire to offload Martinelli is also boosted by claims that Paris Saint-Germain want to sign the Brazil international.<\/p>\n According to The Team<\/em>PSG are actively pursuing a deal for Martinelli.<\/p>\n The French publication has reported that PSG football advisor, Luis Campos, has held talks with the Arsenal winger\u2019s representatives over a move to the Ligue 1 giants in the summer of 2026.<\/p>\n Martinelli has made 272 appearances for Arsenal so far in his career, scoring 62 goals and giving 35 assists in the process.<\/p>\n READ NEXT: 16 Conclusions from Man City 2-1 Arsenal: Cherki, Bernardo, Haaland, O\u2019Reilly, bottle<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\nAndrea Berta \u2018huge admirer\u2019 of Nico Williams<\/strong><\/h2>\n