Arsenal's £50 million target is now seen as a risk and could derail Arteta's side

Reporter Charles Watts says Arsenal are keen on the £50 million striker, but his signing could “disrupt the club” for one key reason.

Arsenal are eyeing new strikers for Arteta this summer

Sporting director Edu Gaspar and manager Mikel Arteta are keen to strengthen the club's squad with new players ahead of next season, as they look to challenge Man City for the Premier League title again.

Arsenal are expected to bring in a new striker, and have made a good bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig after the Slovenia international scored 18 goals in all competitions last campaign.

Sesko had an offer to join Arsenal this summer, but the 21-year-old opted to stay at Leipzig for at least another season. Since then, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, among others.

As well as a centre-forward, there are reports that Arsenal could target another wide player, with Arteta looking set to bring strength behind the likes of Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard – both of whom he played against last season.

Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams is a player widely reported to be on his radar in this regard. The Spaniard, a standout at Euro 2024, also had 19 assists in all competitions at club level last season.

The signing of Nico Williams will disrupt Arsenal's squad

Watts, speaking to CaughtOffside this week, says Arsenal's signing of Williams will disrupt Arteta's squad – and could be a risky move despite his respect for the player.

“Arsenal are interested in the 21-year-old, but so are other top clubs in Europe and that interest will increase as the competition progresses,” Watts said.

“On paper, Williams' £50million release clause looks very attractive, but as far as I'm concerned it's not as simple as that. You have to remember that release clauses in Spain have to be paid in full and that makes deals more expensive as clubs can't spread the transfer fee over the length of the contract as they usually do.

“But in the case of Williams, salaries are also understood to be a very important issue. The Athletic Club pays more. They have to make sure they keep their team together given the unique way the club operates.

“So Williams has good money and the word is that interested clubs are surprised by the wages they want to move this summer. Arsenal are not good payers, but they have the wage bill they have worked hard to check in recent years. So they won't do anything stupid and put off that hard work.

“Williams has talent, but he is young and inexperienced. For Arsenal to quickly make him one of the highest paid players would be dangerous, as it could disrupt the team a bit, especially if he could come in and suddenly earn more money than other experienced players who have been at the club. for a while.”