MX23RW : Friday, January 31 07:10:14| >> :120:46157:46157:

Chelsea 'identify Nico Williams as potential summer target'

Chelsea 'identify Williams as potential summer target'
© Reuters
Chelsea allegedly identify Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams as a potential summer transfer target.

Chelsea allegedly hold an interest in signing Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams in the summer.

The Blues invested heavily in the final third prior to the 2023-24 campaign, bringing in the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.

While Jackson has grown into the role and contributed eight goals and three assists from his 23 Premier League appearances, Nkunku has made just two starts and spend much of the season on the sidelines.

With Armando Broja available for transfer, significant changes are expected to be made to Chelsea's forward line when business reopens at the end of the season.

According to The Telegraph, the club's recruitment team are taking an interest in Athletic Bilbao attacker Williams.

Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams scores against Atletico Madrid on February 29, 2024© Reuters

The 21-year-old has been deployed on either flank throughout the campaign, contributing three goals and six assists from 22 outings in La Liga.

Furthermore, the Spain international has chipped in with three goals during his team's run to the Copa del Rey final, netting against each of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Having only extended his contract as recently as December, Williams is tied to Athletic Bilbao until 2027, keeping the Champions-League chasing side in a strong position.

However, there is said to be a £43m release clause present in his deal, a figure that may be a realistic ask of Chelsea if they can raise funds through player sales.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly in the stands before the match on August 13, 2023© Reuters

Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are currently hoping that suitable offers arrive for the likes of Ian Maatsen, Trevoh Chalobah and Broja, while Conor Gallagher's future remains up in the air.

The acquisition of Williams would also throw the future of Chelsea's inconsistent wingers into doubt, yet the report stresses that no consideration is currently being given to parting ways with the likes of Raheem Sterling or Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Aside from the efforts of Cole Palmer, the remainder of Chelsea's creative players have generally been disappointing, with Sterling, Mudryk and Noni Madueke having posted just 11 strikes and five assists between them in the Premier League.

Jackson has also occasionally been used on the left flank to positive effect, although the Senegal international is generally regarded as one of Chelsea's central options.

ID:538321:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5414:
Written by
Darren Plant

Nico Williams future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Nico Williams

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Trevoh Chalobah in action for Chelsea in July 2023
Read Next:
Chalobah 'eager to stay at Chelsea in long term'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!