5 months ago
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Chelsea have set their sights on Nico Williams and are ready to pay the winger’s release clause to lure him away from Athletic Bilbao.
The Blues are determined to bolster their attack and have drawn up a shortlist of targets for the summer transfer window, with Enzo Maresca keen to bring in competition for the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Benjamin Sesko had been at the top of Chelsea’s wishlist but the west London giants have been forced to explore other avenues after the Slovenian decided to commit his future to RB Leipzig.
This has seen Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran and Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion come to the fore as possible solutions at centre-forward and Chelsea have held talks with both players over proposed moves to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have also been credited with a strong interest in Michael Olise but the Crystal Palace winger is reportedly on the verge of a £60million switch to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
According to Sky Italia, Chelsea – resigned to defeat in their pursuit of Olise – have focussed their attentions on Athletic Bilbao star Williams and are ready to pay the 21-year-old’s €55million (£46.5m) release clause
Williams enjoyed a magnificent season with Athletic Bilbao last term, racking up eight goals and 19 assists in 37 appearances, and is now a regular in Luis de la Fuente’ Spain side – starting both of the team’s opening games at Euro 2024.
The youngster signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao in December, tying him to the La Liga outfit until the summer of 2027.
It’s understood Arsenal are also keen on Williams and Mikel Arteta views the player as ‘one of his preferred options’ in attack for the summer transfer window.
Williams distanced himself from rumours of a possible move last week and insisted he was ‘happy’ with Athletic Bilbao after agreeing to a new deal over the winter.
‘I’ve seen reports talking about my future, but honestly I have no clue of anything,’ he said.
‘Right now, I want to focus on the Euros and nothing else.
‘I am so happy in Bilbao, I signed a new deal and performed well last season. I feel at home, but I don’t know what I will do. Nobody can tell you about the future.’=
Athletic Bilbao’s president Jon Uriarte echoed Williams’ comments and stressed that the club were pleased with the attacker on the back of his excellent campaign.
‘Nico is very happy in Bilbao and in Athletic and has commented on this many times,’ Uriarte said.
‘We are very happy with Nico.’
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