Mikel Arteta would love to sign €58 million star – but there’s one big problem
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Mikel Arteta would love to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams in January but there is at least one major obstacle to overcome if that dream is to become a reality. The Gunners have been short of firepower this season and Bukayo Saka’s injury has restricted Arteta’s options even further.
![[CA Osasuna v Athletic Club - La Liga EA Sports]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2191232865.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The Arsenal boss appeared to have stumbled on a makeshift solution in the shape of youngster Ethan Nwaneri, but he too is now set for a spell on the sidelines. Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard have been struggling for form recently, while sickness ruled Kai Havertz out of Arsenal’s two most recent matches.
![[Paris Saint-Germain v AS Monaco - Trophée des Champions - Final]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192590457.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Brazil internationals Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, have blown hot and cold recently and the bench has been filled with untested academy graduates. Alexander Isak remains Arsenal’s No.1 attacking target but Newcastle will refuse to sell their £150 million rated centre forward this month.
Athletic Bilbao, by contrast, would be powerless to prevent the departure of Williams were any of his suitors prepared to pay his €58m release clause in full. According to The Athletic, however,Arsenal would struggle to be able to afford that fee this month and only the intervention of owner Stan Kroeneke would change the picture there.
