Chelsea are in contact with the representatives of a forward who Arsenal have met with in the last few days, and it appears the Premier League rival duo are in a hotly-contested race for his signature.
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Uncertainty surrounds Mykhailo Mudryk’s long-term future after a failed drugs test, while Noni Madueke is attracting interest from Newcastle and Aston Villa. It also isn’t a forgone conclusion that Chelsea sign Jadon Sancho from Man United permanently, so BlueCo are understandably looking at other options.
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Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) and Yeremay Hernandez (Malaga) are among the wingers being targeted by Chelsea ahead of the summer window, according to journalist Simon Phillips. However, as per the reporter and other media sources, one name stands out among them.
£200,000-per-week Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams is at the centre of keen interest from Chelsea, following a sensational 2024 for the exciting Spain starlet.
The 22-year-old chalked up 19 assists in all competitions last season and helped his national team to European Championship glory, with The Guardian’s Ed Aarons reporting that Williams is expected to push for a summer exit.
His contract includes a £48 million release clause as well, which would be affordable from a Chelsea perspective, but the major obstacle lies in his extortionate wage demands, rumoured to be around £300,000-per-week.
It is believed Williams is a top target for Chelsea heading into the summer, but they face stiff competition from Arsenal. Their new sporting director, Andrea Berta, met with the representatives of Bilbao’s sensation in the last few days (Foot Mercato), with the Gunners attempting to steal a march on their London neighbours.
Chelsea make contact with Nico Williams' representatives
Now, as per Phillips on his Substack, Chelsea have also reached out to Williams’ camp as they try to compete with Arsenal.
However, as predicted, the salary issue remains a significant stumbling block in any proposed negotiation – something which the Blues are doing their best to navigate.
“The club are planning to revisit the wages side of this deal and have made contact again with his agents to see if anything is plausible,” wrote the reporter.
“Williams stays a big target, but something would need to give with his wages, just like with Victor Osimhen who would still be Chelsea’s first choice striker target if they could agree on wages.”
The Spaniard, statistically, is one of La Liga’s most frightening dribblers with the division’s fifth-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 (WhoScored).
He’d be a hugely exciting addition for Chelsea, and you can never count the west Londoners out of any transfer race these days. That being said, BlueCo won’t be keen on putting a dent in their carefully organised wage structure, so there appears to be plenty to do in talks for the player as Arsenal provide a serious threat.