Chelsea SNUBBED by €50m wonderkid

Carlo Garganese

• 10 Apr 2024 10:10 BST
• 3 min read

Athletic Bilbao wonderkid Nico Williams has rejected a summer transfer to Chelsea.

According to Sport, Williams has made it clear that he will not leave La Liga at the end of the season.

Williams wants to play in Europe next season, something which won’t happen at Chelsea unless they win the FA Cup.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

The 21-year-old’s priority is to remain at Athletic, who have already qualified for Europe after winning the Copa del Rey. They are also only two points outside the Champions League places.

But if he were to leave Athletic he wants to move to another La Liga club with Barcelona potentially making a bid. Williams is said to be open to a move to Barca.

This news comes as a blow to Chelsea, who had reportedly made Williams their top winger target this summer.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer news

The Blues are ready to pay the €50 million release clause in Williams’ contract at Athletic.

The 21-year-old is considered one of the most exciting young wingers in all of Europe.

Williams is also reported to be a target for Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid.

The emergence of Nico Williams

Williams has emerged as an electric talent over the last year or so.

Blessed with lightning pace and dribbling skills, he has a promising future in the game.

After making his debut for Athletic in 2021, Williams has scored 27 goals in 145 games. He has also scored two goals in 13 games for Spain, and travelled to the 2022 World Cup.

His brother is fellow Athletic Bilbao star Inaki Williams, who plays his international football for the Ghana national team.