Chelsea offer €58m Arsenal target €15m a season wages

Arsenal‘s pursuit of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has intensified, with Chelsea reportedly offering the 21-year-old a lucrative €15 million per season contract.

According to AS, both Premier League clubs are prepared to activate Williams’ €58 million release clause, a figure considered a bargain in England for the young Spaniard who has shone at Euro 2024.

While Chelsea initially seemed hesitant due to the high cost and Williams’ salary demands, their stance has evidently changed. They are now reportedly willing to meet the release clause and triple his current salary at Athletic Bilbao.

Arsenal, who have long admired Williams, also remain in the hunt and have also made an offer, although the exact details of that are not provided by AS. However, they face their own financial constraints as the release clause demands full payment upfront and Williams’ wage expectations said to be so high they are surprising interested clubs.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have also entered the fray, keen to unite Nico with his brother Inaki Williams at Camp Nou. However, the Catalan giants lack the financial resources to meet the release clause, hoping to raise funds through player sales.

Nico Williams‘ future remains uncertain, with his agent, Felíx Tainta, fielding numerous offers. Athletic Bilbao hopes he will stay, and a loan deal for the upcoming season is also reported as a possibility.

Williams’ outstanding performances at Euro 2024, including a goal, an assist, and numerous exciting dribbles, have strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.

His decision on his future is expected by the end of July.

For Arsenal, the competition for Williams’ signature highlights the challenges of securing top talent in the current market. They will need to carefully weigh the financial implications and the player’s potential impact on their squad before making a final decision.