Chelsea eye Nico Williams

Chelsea have their sights set on Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams as they begin making plans for the upcoming summer transfer window, according to The Telegraph.

While acquiring a striker remains a top priority for the London Blues, with Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko among the prime targets, they have also taken notice of the development of the 21-year-old winger.

However, the pursuit of Williams may hinge on Chelsea’s ability to generate funds through player sales, especially considering the significant expense associated with acquiring a top striker. Williams apparently has a release clause in his Bilbao contract valued at around £43 million, making him a relatively affordable option. On the other hand, his wages are reportedly high, surpassing £100,000 per week after taxes.

A potential move for Williams could raise questions about the future roles of Raheem Sterling and possibly Mykhailo Mudryk at Chelsea. Although capable of playing on either flank, Williams typically starts on the left, the preferred positions for both Sterling and Mudryk. However, Mudryk was recently deployed as a No. 10 by Mauricio Pochettino.

Despite the speculation, there is currently no indication that Chelsea intend to offload either Sterling or Mudryk this summer, and both players remain committed to the club. Sterling was approached by Saudi clubs last summer but showed no interest in the move, and there is no suggestion that he would consider it this time either.