Nico Williams: Why Barcelona have snubbed Arsenal & Chelsea target | OneFootball

Barcelona have reportedly made the decision to not pursue a summer transfer for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, removing one major competitor for a player chased by Arsenal and Chelsea.

Williams was one of the stars of Spain's Euro-winning squad alongside Lamine Yamal and Barcelona made little secret of a desire to unite the pair at club level.

But financial limitations, which impacted the recruitment of Dani Olmo anyway, ended Barca's chances of also landing Williams. The player himself was also happy to stay in Bilbao.

Barcelona have again been linked with Williams as the next transfer window inches closer, but Mundo Deportivo has reported that priorities for the summer are now a midfielder and at least one defender – starting with a right-back but potentially also growing to include a centre-back.

The Catalans don't intend to trigger the €60m (£51.4m) release clause in Williams' contract with Athletic Club, believing existing options in the squad to be sufficient.

Williams remains linked with Arsenal & Chelsea / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

It is a similar story with regard to a striker pursuit, having been linked with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and others. Barcelona are said to be satisfied that Olmo and Ferran Torres are enough cover for an ageing but still productive Robert Lewandowski.

Whether Barcelona's ongoing financial issues are forcing a rethink is unclear, but certainly plausible.

Williams remains linked with other clubs, though. His release clause, combined with his age and long-term potential, is considered affordable for Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea. But enormous wage demands in excess of £200,000 per week could still price him out of a move.

The 22-year-old was recently reported to have given interested clubs a deadline by which he wants his future to be resolved. Williams doesn't want a transfer saga to drag on beyond 15 July, so that he can start pre-season with whichever club he is to spend the rest of the campaign.