Arsenal boost as Chelsea withdraw from transfer race | OneFootball

Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, with Chelsea opting against the signing.

BILBAO, SPAIN: Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao celebrates scoring the 2nd goal during the Copa del Rey Semifinal match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Atletico de Madrid at San Mames Stadium on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea have no plans to activate Nico Williams’ release clause and sign him this summer, believing the current package to be too expensive.

Though Chelsea admire Williams, the player’s release clause with the bulk of the payment being made upfront and high salary requests have turned them off the deal.

BILBAO, SPAIN: Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao celebrates scoring the 2nd goal during the Copa del Rey Semifinal match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Atletico de Madrid at San Mames Stadium on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Charles Watts writes that Arsenal are admirers of Williams, but they may have financial concerns of their own.

The £50m release clause is complicated by the fact the clause has to be paid in full immediately, meaning the club can’t spread the fee out over the length of the contract.

Wages are also a pretty significant issue, with Williams already on good money and his demands reportedly surprising interested clubs. To meet those demands would mean taking a risk.

BILBAO, SPAIN: Nico Williams of Athletic Club passes the ball whilst under pressure from Omar Mascarell of RCD Mallorca during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Bilbao and RCD Mallorca at Estadio de San Mames on February 02, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

In the wake of Benjamin Sesko’s decision to stay at RB Leipzig, Simon Collings reported for The Standard that Arsenal may opt to sign a winger instead of a centre-forward, with Williams on their shortlist.

David Ornstein confirmed in May that Williams was among the options Arsenal liked, adding that there were other teams in the race, and no guarantee Williams would leave his current club.

Williams scored eight goals and provided 19 assists in 37 appearances for Athletic Club in 2023/24, and he’s now with Spain for Euro 2024.