Chelsea view Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams as their ‘dream’ transfer goal for the summer window, based on reports.
Williams, certainly one of Europe’s hottest prospects, is believed to have a €58 million (£49m) release clause in his current take care of the La Liga side.
The 22-year-old, who has conjured up five goals and five assists across 28 Spanish top-flight games this season, has been strongly linked to Arsenal.
The Gunners, though, must now battle Chelsea for his signature at the tip of the season, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed.
Chelsea are also taking a look at Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens but Williams appears to be their No.1 priority.
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‘Chelsea are surely searching for a brand new winger to herald soon,’ Romano wrote in his Give Me Sport column.
‘Rogers is certainly one of the players they appreciate, perfect when it comes to age and skills. He’s considered just like Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens who [is] high on the list together with dream goal Nico Williams.’
Chelsea could face somewhat of a stumbling block over a move for Williams, though, given his eye-watering wage demands.
Williams’ representatives are reported to be demanding a deal value around £400,000 every week, which might make him the best earner at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s transfer approach under the ownership of BlueCo has been to recruit young players on lower wages over long-term contracts, with agreements to offer them significant pay rises if certain conditions are met.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde is hopeful that Williams will stay on the club for a few years yet, despite the increasing speculation over his future.
‘He has had a excellent season and there was some speculation,’ Valverde said on Wednesday.
‘We hope that he’s with us next season and for a few years because we wish to have the very best players.’
Williams, who got here through Athletic Bilbao’s academy, is under contract on the club until the summer of 2027.
The Spain international has remained loyal to his Basque routes to this point and is dreaming of Europa League glory with Athletic Bilbao this term.
Athletic Bilbao host Manchester United in the primary leg of their Europa League semi-final showdown tonight (Thursday, May 1).
‘Everyone dreams of playing European games,’ Williams said ahead of the match.
‘Lifting the trophy in San Mames – every kid dreams of that – and now’s a excellent opportunity to write down history. Hopefully we will get there, however the dream is rarely ending.’
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