Chelsea are one of several clubs monitoring Nico Williams, but a summer bid for the Athletic Club winger depends on several circumstances, sources tell ESPN.
The 21-year-old agreed a new contract with the Spanish club last December that contains a release clause of around €50 million ($71 million), a relatively low figure for such a promising talent, but the club with headquarters in Bilbao was at risk of losing him for nothing given that his previous agreement expired in June.
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However, the existence of that clause, as well as Williams' good form this season (he has contributed six goals and 11 assists) has attracted interest from Chelsea, while sources in Spain confirmed that Arsenal and Liverpool have scouted the player. extreme.
Chelsea's priority is to sign a striker this summer with Napoli's Victor Osimhen and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko among their top targets, but their ability to compete in the market is likely to depend on player sales.
On Thursday, Chelsea reported a pre-tax loss of £90.1 million ($117 million) for the year to June 30, 2023, following a loss of £121.4 million during the period. 12 months previous.
Chelsea continue to insist privately that they remain compliant with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability standards, as well as UEFA's financial fair play standards, but their scope to invest in the team appears minimal.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover in May 2022, the club has spent more than £1bn on players, although it has also recouped around £400m in sales during that time.
Any pursuit of Williams would likely come after a deal for a striker and Osimhen, long considered Chelsea's preferred option, would be costly.
A source told ESPN that Osimhen has a release clause in his contract worth around €130 million and that Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the Nigerian striker.
Sesko would be a cheaper alternative given that he has a €50 million release clause in his deal with Leipzig that is supposed to come into effect this summer. Brentford's Ivan Toney is another possible option, but the west London club were demanding £80m for the 27-year-old in January.
Any move for Williams would cast fresh doubt on the futures of several Chelsea wingers, including Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, although there is no indication at this stage that any of that trio will be available at the end of the season. .
However, Chelsea are likely to have to sell a number of players this summer, and Conor Gallagher has been repeatedly linked with a move to Tottenham.
