Highly-regarded journalist David Ornstein has revealed the price that Arsenal would need to pay for one of Mikel Arteta’s prime targets in the transfer market.

With many calling for Arteta to add a new forward to his frontline, Nico Williams is one of several players who have been rumoured to be on the Gunners’ wishlist.

According to The Athletic’s journalist David Ornstein, the Spain international is very much admired by Arsenal, but Williams has a release clause of nearly £50.3m, which could prove to be too expensive for his suitors.

“Mikel Arteta loves Nico Williams. It’s a long-term admiration. He would love to have signed him in the past and he would really like to sign him in this January transfer window,” Ornstein said in The Athletic Podcast

“However, we would all like things in life we can’t have and there is a good chance that he can’t have Nico Williams because of the finances involved.

“He has a release clause that is active that is just shy of €60m [£50.3m], but it has to be paid in one go which is horrendous for any club who wants him. He also earns a very good salary in Bilbao which would need to rise if he’s going to move to the Premier League.”

OPINION

Without being an accountant at Arsenal, it is still a bit surprising that a fee in the region of £50m can be deemed as too much to pay in today’s market, even if a one-time payment is required.

Also, in terms of value for money, William’s price tag is still considerably less than the £65m that was paid for Kai Havertz 18 months ago.

If Arsenal fail to sign Nico Williams, I doubt it should/would be because of the money, because, even with PSR rules, his release clause is below the average price of most decent players in the Premier League.

My concerns about Williams are rather about where he would fit, since his better performances on the left flank for Spain and Bilbao makes him more of a candidate to replace Martinelli/Trossard rather than the right-sided Saka.

Nonetheless, the 22-year-old is a must-have talent, and regardless of which position he prefers, his versatility and fine potential would make him a useful addition to the squad.

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