Arsenal’s Nico Williams interest? Liverpool and midfielders? Guehi future? – Ask Ornstein

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Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A.

Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the football world. I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers are below.

Got a question? Join us again next Thursday.

Ivan S. asked: “Are the reports about Andrea Berta meeting with Nico Williams’ representatives true and if so how likely is a move to Arsenal this summer?”

David Ornstein: Arsenal’s long-running pursuit of Williams — based on Mikel Arteta’s desire to sign him — is well documented. A recruit in that position has been on the agenda for some time and it remains the case.

I have no reason to doubt the reports of a meeting taking place between his agent and Andrea Berta, however that is pretty normal… you’d be more surprised if meetings with the representatives of targets were not happening. Clearly, it seems like Arsenal will try again and I doubt they will be alone; the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool are among the many clubs to have considered and/or pursued him.

But this is a highly challenging deal to do and therefore there is no guarantee it happens. There is a release clause in the region of €60million (£50.6m, $66.3m) and that needs to be paid in full, plus a very healthy salary.

We reported some time ago that Williams is expected to be more open to a move in the summer of 2025 than previously, however, he is still only 22 and his ties to Athletic Bilbao and their coach are very strong. Not an easy one for me to call, I’m afraid.

Harry J. asked: “Are Liverpool targeting any midfielders and if so what names have you heard floating about?”

Ornstein: This doesn’t seem to be a department at the top of their priority list, Harry, and — if that’s the case — you can understand why. Martin Zubimendi was viewed as a market opportunity and when Liverpool’s pursuit didn’t come to fruition they decided against pivoting to another target; it was he who they wanted.

That call appears to have been vindicated with Ryan Gravenberch’s outstanding season, Waturo Endo’s contributions, Alexis Mac Allister’s consistency and Curtis Jones shining when called upon.

Liverpool saw Zubimendi as a market opportunity (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Aaron W. asked: “Are you hearing anything regarding Marc Guehi?”

Ornstein: Not that we don’t already know. He figures prominently on the lists of some of the top clubs in England and overseas.

There has been no indication so far that he intends to sign a new contract at Crystal Palace and, unless that changes, they will need to cash in on him this summer or face losing him for nothing in June 2026.

You imagine the asking price would be a bit lower than when Newcastle tried to sign Guehi a year ago, yet for club and country he seems to be getting better… so this is certainly one you could see developing.

Todd M. asked: “Is the City dynasty over?”

Ornstein: No. Manchester City have built an incredibly impressive operation and while we don’t know what will happen in the 115 case, they are set up to continue flourishing at senior and youth level on the men’s and women’s sides — and across the business.

The multi-club model has faced challenges in certain areas, like Troyes… but then when you see New York City FC’s stadium plans, for example, there is plenty of reason for them to anticipate further growth and success.

Andrew D. asked: “Any Villa transfer news, David? Will it massively depend on where we finish? Wages to turnover will be very tight without Champions League income. What about the chances of our loanees sticking around?”

Ornstein: Villa always seem to plan well — even if that planning must consider different scenarios and budgets based on factors like European competition — and they always seem to be busy. Let’s see if they turn Marcus Rashford into a permanent signing for £40m as a starting point.

An outgoing wouldn’t come as a huge surprise… there are always clubs looking at Jacob Ramsey, while Morgan Rogers is generating some big admirers. That is not to say these guys are leaving and certainly the club will not want to lose their best players.

But it will be another big summer as Villa look to kick on again.

Hammad N. asked: “Are there any indications Arsenal are looking to add a defender in the summer window? I’ve read numerous articles about Dean Huijsen, listing Arsenal as one of the clubs interested. Can you elaborate a bit on the extent of that interest?”

Ornstein: I’m not aware of Arsenal being in for Huijsen, Hammad, and I could only see a centre-back arriving if there is a departure. The obvious name that springs to mind is Jakub Kiwior, but we’ve been here before… he generates interest, especially from Italy, but so far nothing has come to fruition.

Kieran Tierney and potentially Oleksander Zinchenko leaving would theoretically create space to strengthen at left-back, but the presence of Riccardo Calafiori and Miles Lewis-Skelly means that is by no means certain.

Huijsen has shone for Bournemouth (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

Adam asked: “What is Jamie Gittens’ future? Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly interested. Have you heard anything?”

Ornstein: He is definitely a player Chelsea are considering. I don’t know about Liverpool but there are a host of interested parties. There is a good chance he leaves and I think there’s a release clause in the event of Borussia Dortmund failing to qualify for Europe, but would need to check that.

Nothing is set in stone, at this stage.

Joe M. asked: “There’s a lot of talk about Liverpool being in the market for a new No 9 this summer. Are you aware of any genuine interest from Liverpool in certain players in that position?”

Ornstein: Just the Alexander Isak stuff we and others have covered previously. They will have multiple options, of course, but I think Liverpool will first want a clearer picture of the Mohamed Salah contract situation, what’s happening with Luiz Diaz and whether Darwin Nunez is definitely leaving.

They remain confident Salah will renew, Diaz is certainly one to watch giving there has still been no new deal and he has plenty of suitors, and there is a decent chance Nunez goes.

So you can definitely see somebody coming in but we don’t have many names yet.

Gbenga S. asked: “Hey David! We know United will be looking to offload a lot of players this summer. Is Mason Mount on that list too?”

Ornstein: You never know in this industry but I don’t expect Mason Mount to leave. Manchester United will be focused on keeping him fit and bringing the best out of him, because they think he is a great fit for Ruben Amorim’s set-up and style.

Furthermore, I can’t see any club offering Manchester United the level of money to produce an accounting profit — and there will naturally be reservations about his injury record. I imagine he’s going nowhere.

Johannes E. asked: “What will the goalkeeper situation at Chelsea look like next year? Will there be any new signings? What will happen to Djordje Petrovic?”

Ornstein: There could be movement in this department, Johannes. Chelsea will be analysing whether Robert Sanchez or Petrovic can make the position theirs, or if Filip Jorgensen or Mike Penders are able to take over.

So there could be an arrival but that would require an exit or two. I hear there’s quite a bit of interest in Petrovic from Europe. It’s obviously an important situation, although signing a striker and winger remain Chelsea’s priorities.

Petrovic has impressed for Strasbourg (Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images)

Brian M. asked: “Hi David, what in god’s name is going on at West Ham? After winning the Europa Conference we should have kicked on like Villa and Newcastle, we’ve now been overtaken by Bournemouth and Fulham. Who is for the chop and any ideas on who is coming in?”

Ornstein: I get your frustration but the trophy (plus a sequence of strong domestic and European campaigns under David Moyes) is better than most teams fared over the same period and now let’s see if Graham Potter can get them moving in a similar direction.

The Julen Lopetegui tenure and sporting director upheaval has not helped matters. Their recent win at Arsenal showed the levels they are capable of reaching.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Mohammed Kudus. He’s under contract until summer 2028, with an option to extend by 12 months, but his deal contains a release clause and that’s probably why there has been a lot of speculation over his future.

I understand the clause is only active for the first 10 days of July and is valued at £80million for European clubs, £85m for Premier League sides and £120m for Saudi teams. That feels steep considering this season has not gone as well as he would have liked, however we know he has huge quality and is still only 24 (25 in August), so it’s obviously a situation worth us keeping an eye on.

(Top photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

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