Chelsea make move to steal a march on rivals and sign £43m-rated Spain international

Chelsea are in the race for £43 million-rated Spanish international Nico Williams

Chelsea are pursuing a contract for 21-year-old Spanish international Nico Williams, who recently won the Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao. Williams has a release clause worth €50 million (£43 million) in his current contract with the Basque club.

The talented midfielder has been delivering stellar performances this season, tallying six goals and 14 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. His impressive form has caught the attention of Chelsea, prompting them to monitor his progress closely.

Despite signing a new deal last December and being under contract until 2027, rumors linking Williams to a move to the Premier League have persisted.

According to FotMob (h/t football insider), this season, Williams is among the top La Liga players in terms of successful penalties, successful dribbles, opportunities created, and cross accuracy. He made his Athletic first-team debut in April 2021 and has since scored 18 goals and provided 21 assists in 115 games. Bilbao’s star has scored twice in 13 appearances for his country.

Liverpool, Tottenham, and Aston Villa are all interested in triggering the £43 million release clause in Williams’ contract. Despite having numerous options in attack, many of Chelsea’s signings in that area have underperformed, potentially opening the door for Williams to join the club.

While the £43 million fee is considered affordable for Liverpool, Spurs, and Villa, Williams’ focus is likely to be on the European Championships with Spain before considering any potential move. The versatile winger, capable of playing on both the left and right sides, made his senior debut for Spain in September 2022 and featured in every game of the World Cup in Qatar later that year.

The young star possesses the versatility to adapt to various tactical setups due to his speed and exceptional dribbling ability. At just 21 years old, Nico Williams has a promising future ahead of him, and a move to Chelsea could provide him with the platform to unlock his true potential.

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Despite Chelsea’s stature as a top club, the current season has been challenging for them. The team is set to miss out on Champions League football once again in the 2024-25 campaign. However, a strong finish to the season could see them secure European qualification. Currently, the Blues occupy ninth place in the table with eight games remaining in the term.