Chelsea have shifted their focus to Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams following the collapse of their bid for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.
Initially targeting Olise as their prime summer acquisition, Chelsea abandoned their pursuit due to prohibitive financial demands. As per The Athletic, Olise now appears poised to join Bayern Munich instead.
In response, Chelsea are now intent on securing Williams, a promising 21-year-old winger whose standout performances for Spain at Euro 2024 have drawn considerable attention. Williams played a pivotal role in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Italy, showcasing his skill with four key passes and as many dribbles, the highest in the match.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano notes that Williams’ contract includes a £49 million release clause, a figure Chelsea are prepared to meet.
This potential acquisition, however, raises questions about the future of Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling at the club, given their prominent roles on the left wing last season.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Williams underscores their adaptive transfer strategy amidst fluctuating market dynamics and competition from other top clubs.
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The Blues are determined to bolster their squad, particularly after securing Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, reflecting a broader trend of targeting young talent from both European and South American markets.
This aggressive approach aims to rebuild Chelsea’s competitive edge under new management.
