Chelsea are actively looking to bolster their wing options in the ongoing summer transfer window, with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams emerging as their top target. Following a standout season at Athletic Bilbao and impressive performances at Euro 2024 with Spain, the 22-year-old winger has attracted significant transfer interest from several major clubs.
Nico Williams has been on the radar of several top clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona, in addition to Chelsea. The young winger recently signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao, which includes a €58 million (£49 million) release clause. Despite the interest from Premier League clubs, remaining in Spain, particularly with Barcelona, appears to be the most likely outcome for Williams.
Recent reports indicate that Barcelona are in a strong position to sign Williams. La Liga president Javier Tebas mentioned that with Barcelona’s efforts to reduce their wage bill by more than €200 million (£168 million) and other internal measures, they are capable of bringing in a player like Nico Williams. This financial flexibility gives the Catalan giants a significant advantage in the race for Williams.
While Chelsea and their manager Enzo Maresca are keen on signing Williams, agreeing on personal terms could pose a challenge. The Blues would need Williams to lower his wage demands significantly to finalize a deal. Having already missed out on Michael Olise, Chelsea are considering several alternatives to strengthen their squad.
PSV’s Johan Bakayoko has been identified as a potential target for Chelsea. Additionally, internal discussions have been held about a possible move for Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma. Despite the challenges of securing a deal with Brighton, given the substantial financial transactions between the two clubs over the past few years, Mitoma remains a viable option.
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Upon Graham Potter’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, there were speculations about a reunion with Mitoma. Although Mitoma stayed at Brighton, players like Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, and Moises Caicedo made the switch to Chelsea, resulting in significant financial dealings between the clubs.
Mitoma had a challenging 2023/24 season, missing the final three months due to injury. Despite this, his potential departure from Brighton is still possible, especially with significant changes at Brighton, including the replacement of head coach Roberto De Zerbi with Fabian Hurzeler. This managerial change could influence Mitoma’s future, making Chelsea a possible destination once again.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Nico Williams highlights their ambition to strengthen their squad with top-tier talent. While challenges remain in securing Williams, Chelsea have identified several viable alternatives, including Johan Bakayoko and Kaoru Mitoma. As the summer transfer window progresses, Chelsea’s strategy will involve navigating financial considerations and competitive interests to secure the right additions to their squad.