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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barca and Arsenal target Spain star Williams</li><li>La Liga leaders ready to open new negotiations</li><li>Hope Yamal friendship will convince him to sign</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Could Lamine Yamal ruin Arsenal's summer transfer plans? Barcelona plan fresh talks with Gunners target Nico Williams - and winger's friendship with Spain star could be key

<p>The Catalan club attempted to sign the winger last summer following his role in last year's Euro 2024 success, but the 22-year-old <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-nico-williams-going-nowhere-athletic-club-hint-spain-euro-2024-hero-staying-barcelona-transfer-interest/blt6f7b8fefb6ca66f2" target="_self">opted to stay with the Basque side for at least one more year</a>. Barca, however, have not given up on landing him as <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/barca-retomara-contactos-nico-williams-116148608" target="_blank"><em>Sport</em></a> reports they are prepared to open talks over a summer transfer.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The current La Liga leaders are not the only team interested in signing Williams. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/nico-williams-link-up-harry-kane-bayern-munich-battle-barcelona-athletic-club-trigger-release-clause/blt89e72914e0a5a3bd" target="_blank">Bayern Munich have also been linked</a>, but it is Arsenal who have been regarded as the favourites of late to complete the transfer, reportedly <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/new-arsenal-transfer-chief-andrea-berta-meeting-nico-williams-athletic-club-winger-release-clause/blt1525067bf4ebafc1" target="_blank">opening talks with the intention of triggering his release clause in his contract</a> which is said to be set at €60 million (£51m/$66m).</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Despite the competition, Barcelona feel they have an advantage in the race to buy Williams. The winger has a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lamine-yamal-dance-tiktok-nico-williams-samu-aghehowa-spain-youngsters-celebrate-nations-league-triumph-netherlands/blt903d8157f2d7e265" target="_blank">close friendship with fellow Spain star Lamine Yamal</a>, with Williams <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-williams-explains-why-crazy-success-hasnt-changed-lamine-yamal-athletic-club-star-big-brother-barcelona-wonderkid/bltfeea0eb036be8d17" target="_blank">saying last year</a>: "We laugh a lot. I think it's obvious that we have the same or very similar personalities and we like the same things. He's a kid that I get along with really well and I always try to give him as much advice as possible, like my brother Inaki has done with me."</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The Catalan club will hope Yamal's bond with Williams will tip the balance in their favour in the race to signing Williams, while Mikel Arteta will be eagerly awaiting news on his target's decision.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Could Lamine Yamal ruin Arsenal's summer transfer plans? Barcelona plan fresh talks with Gunners target Nico Williams - and winger's friendship with Spain star could be key | Goal.com

Barcelona are set to launch a fresh bid to lure Nico Williams to the Spanish giants as they prepare to enter talks with the Athletic Club star.

Could Lamine Yamal ruin Arsenal&apos;s summer transfer plans? Barcelona plan fresh talks with Gunners target Nico Williams - and winger&apos;s friendship with Spain star could be key