Nico Williams Arsenal transfer faces major block as Gunners eye release clause

Nico Williams has got a major stumbling block over a potential move to the Emirates.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has made the Athletic Bilbao winger his No.1 target as he looks to strengthen his squad with a top class signing. Williams, 22, does have a buy-out clause of around £50m which could even be triggered by a club in January although it is far from certain he would want to leave this month.

Arteta does want the player but even a summer move could be complicated by the Spain star’s wage demands. Williams would want in excess of £300,000-a-week to make him one of Europe’s top stars and big earners after helping Spain win last summer’s Euros when he scored against England in the final.

Tax rules around his current deal in Bilbao mean that his net earnings would require a huge contract in the Premier League. Arsenal remain interested and Mirror Sport revealed last summer that scouts had been watching him as a primary target with other top clubs also keen.

Barcelona are watching developments but financial restrictions on the La Liga giants may put Arsenal or another English club in the driving seat. Arsenal are crying out for reinforcements after a dip in form which has left them six points behind leaders Liverpool who also have a game in hand. They lost their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg to Newcastle 2-0.

But they may not get a huge deal done this month unless they can make a sudden breakthrough on Williams or another huge opportunity comes up. They will be in the market next summer and will have scope to do big deals and still stay in line with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Arsenal are still keeping tabs on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko who was their No.1 centre forward target last summer. But this month could be quiet with Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling back to fitness after Bukayo Saka was ruled out for at least two months.

Sterling hurt himself in training and has struggled for game time. But the feeling is that he has been training really well and has almost been trying too hard in games. Now with the chance of a run in the team it may help him relax and get more out of him in the next few weeks.