Chelsea Transfer News: Nico Williams is the latest star to emerge on Todd Boehly’s wishlist
With the Premier League coming to an end in two months, Chelsea has launched an early pre-transfer operation for the upcoming season. Multiple sources report that The Blues are strengthening their flank side by targeting Athletic Bilbao star, Nico Williams.
Williams has been impressive for the Basque-based club, taking Bilbao to the Copa del Rey final with beating Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the process. He also has six goals and 11 assists on his tally so far.
The 21-year old winger would add more options for Chelsea on the far side of the pitch, putting more competition on Mykhaylo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling. Telegraph reported that he has a £43 million release-clause on his contract with Bilbao, which appears to be not a big deal for Chelsea under Todd Boehly. Williams also has a £100,000 salary per week which would place him among one of Chelsea’s biggest earners.
Chelsea Transfer News: Nico Williams could choose to stay
Last November, Williams told the media that he has no intention of leaving Bilbao soon as his contract will expire in 2027. The winger who is also Inaki William’s brother has been with the club since he was 16. William’s presence in the club now is aligned with Bilbao’s strict rules about only recruiting Basque-born players or those that have come through the academy.
Also Read: Reece James Injury: Mauricio Pochettino unsure of return date for Chelsea skipper
““I’m happy here in Bilbao. Athletic fans can be relaxed, no worries,” he said in an interview with Fabrizio Romano.
However, it is also unlikely for Chelsea to offload either Sterling or Mudryk as both still have a long-term contract that would expire in 2027 and 2031 respectively. Sterling even rejected an offer from the Saudi club and chose to stay in London instead.
Chelsea have a history of splashing loads of money without getting a significant output on the pitch. The €1.15 billion they spent last summer took them to the Carabao Cup final, only to get beaten by Liverpool in the dying minutes.
Spurs and Bayern Munich join the race for Chelsea’s transfer target
The Blues are not the only suitors reported to put interest in Williams. Their same-city rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also in the line of getting his signature.
Spurs could replace Timo Werner who is loaned from RB Leipzig in January. Meanwhile, Bayern would need Williams as a long-term backup plan for Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, or Kingsley Coman.