Earlier this month, Mundo Deportivo reported Chelsea are pushing to sign Athletic star Nico Williams.
The Premier League side ‘continue to prioritise’ the 22-year-old for this summer, according to Wednesday’s edition of Sport.
Chelsea have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager and he wants to have the winger at his disposal next season.
The Blues are keen to bolster their left wing position this summer and they have identified the Spain international as their main target.
It’s claimed the west London club have already done ‘long-term groundwork with Nico’, without providing further information on what exactly they done.
Maresca’s side believe Barca have better arguments to convince the player, who favours staying in La Liga. Athletic aren’t willing to negotiate a deal and the interested clubs need to activate his €58m release clause. Williams is hopeful that the Catalan club will invest to secure his services.
Sport say this is the main problem for Barca because of their own financial situation, while it won’t be an issue for Chelsea to trigger the clause.
Marca also claim Chelsea and Barcelona are among the clubs willing to sign Williams. The Basque club, on the other hand, want to convince him to continue with them next season.
Should he request to leave, Marca claim the Spaniard’s transfer will only take place if his clause is activated.
