Nico Williams sends Mikel Arteta message as Arsenal forced into summer transfer call

Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams has reminded Arsenal of his quality after a stunning effort against Real Valladolid.

The 22-year-old put the finishing touch on a 7-1 La Liga victory by cutting in from the left and firing an effort into the top corner, sending Estadio de San Mames into raptures.

Nico Williams celebrating his goal for Athletic Club.

Williams has been extensively linked with Arsenal and Barcelona, though Mikel Arteta’s outfit have a key advantage over the Spanish side.

He has a £49million release clause in his contract, as standard for Athletic and La Liga sides, though would only be triggered if Williams consents to a move away from the Basque region.

That is yet to take place, with Williams’ preference thought to be Barcelona where he would play alongside national side team-mate Lamine Yamal.

However, Barcelona’s finances dictate that a large sale would likely have to be made in order to meet the release clause. Arsenal would be forced to pay up if they decide to purchase Williams.

Arsenal have no such issue and are prioritising a forward addition in the summer, with Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri leading the attack in defeat to West Ham on Saturday.

Injuries have sidelined Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli but a marquee addition to the frontline is expected before next season.

And Williams is reportedly open to a north London move if Barcelona cannot pay his release clause.

Arteta claimed that Arsenal were “actively looking” to sign a striker in January, though failed to get a new body in the door, but they are even open to a free agent signing to ease their woes up front.

“We’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there,” said Arteta last week.

“He [Havertz] was going to stop a shot after a set-piece, then he stretched the leg and felt his hamstring. Certainly it is a big blow because of the injuries that we have but fortunately, we’ve been through a lot this season.

“We have played without Gabriel, without [William] Saliba, Ben White all season, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu all season, [Riccardo] Calafiori for two months, Merino for two months, Martin Odegaard for two months, Bukayo Saka for three months, Gabriel Jesus… all of them.

“So that’s it, that’s the challenge ahead. I love it and look forward because we are still where we are with all the things I mentioned on top of playing four times with 10 men, blah blah blah. Let’s see what the team is made of.”

Williams could be that solution in the summer, though strikers such as Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have all been linked with moves to the Emirates also.