Nico Williams to Chelsea: The state of play after fresh TWIST

Tom Weber

• Updated: 8 May 2024 12:07 CDT
• 4 min read

Chelsea have cooled their interest in Nico Williams as he would be too expensive, according to a report.

The Athletic Club winger has become one of LaLiga's biggest prospects in recent years. A scintillating winger who can feature on either side, Williams looks destined for a brilliant career.

The 21-year-old has notched an impressive seven goals and 16 assists in all competitions for the Bilbao-based outfit this term and this form has, naturally, attracted the attention of bigger fish. The attacker would have been out of contract this summer, but he penned a new deal until 2027 in the winter.

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However, that fresh contract was more to protect Athletic from losing the youngster for nothing than a long-term commitment. Williams was fitted with a relatively modest €50 million release clause to allow him to get a big move this summer. However, some clubs still believe that he is too expensive.

Chelsea won't sign Williams

According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea and Aston Villa have been put off by the financial package required to sign Williams. While the release clause itself wouldn't pose an issue, his wage demands would, it is claimed.

The journalist reports that Williams is already on €200,000 per week at his current club and would demand more than that if he were to change sides, putting him in the upper tier of earners at both Aston Villa and Chelsea.

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The Blues, moreover, feel that they are already well-stocked in that area of the field, with Noni Madueke recently starting to finally live up to his potential and Fabrizio Romano revealing that they have agreed personal terms with Brazilian wonderkid Estevao for a 2025 transfer.

Williams has also been linked with Arsenal, but the Gunners will prioritise a move for Michael Olise. Villa are also in the frame for the Crystal Palace star and FootballTransfers understands that Unai Emery and company are confident of landing Olise.

Finally, Barcelona have been associated with Williams for months as well. On Tuesday, it was claimed that the Blaugrana had gone 'on the attack' for the Basque, but if Premier League clubs are put off by the financial outlay required to sign him, one would imagine that the cash-strapped Catalans would be even less capable of landing him.