Romano reveals Man Utd target's Chelsea links amid new contract talks
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United target Nico Williams was being eyed by Chelsea in the summer.
The Athletic Club youngster is one of Europe's most sought-after attackers - and not just because he's an amazing player. The exciting winger is out of contract in the summer and elite clubs are licking their lips at the prospect of snapping the 21-year-old up for nothing in January.
Manchester United and Barcelona are just two of the giants credited with an interest in Williams, but had things panned out slightly differently, he may have been playing at Stamford Bridge this season. That's at least what Fabrizio Romano has claimed in his latest YouTube video, revealing that Chelsea had shortlisted Williams in the summer during their search for a creative attacker.
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Romano also delivered an update on the player's contract talks with his club, who will be loathe to lose one of their most exciting talents in recent history for nought.
What did Romano say?
"In that list of players being considered by Chelsea alongside [Michael] Olise, alongside Cole Palmer and many others there was also Nico Williams," Romano revealed. "Chelsea have been scouting Nico Williams for a long time, then they decided to go for Cole Palmer as priority target."
"What happens now with Nico Williams? We have many rumours on Barcelona and on many other clubs, but from what I'm told, there is a concrete, a really concrete possibility to extend his contract at Athletic Bilbao."
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"At the moment, his contract expires in summer 2024, so it's a kind of dangerous situation for Nico Williams, but Athletic are confident to extend the contract also with a release clause included and it could be around €50 million. This is still being discussed, but the possibility of Nico Williams extending the contract is concrete."