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Chelsea have reportedly baulked at the transfer fee for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, a Barcelona target. The 22-year-old is coming off a victorious Euro 2024 campaign with Spain.
Williams struck twice and provided an assist in six games. All three goal contributions came in the knockouts, including the opening goal in the 2-1 final win over England, becoming the second youngest player to score in a Euro final.
He's also coming off a solid season with Bilbao - eight goals and 19 assists in 37 games across competitions. That includes three goals and five assists in six games in their victorious Copa del Rey campaign, with the other goal contributions coming in La Liga.
While he's contracted to San Mames till 2027, there has been mounting interest in his services, with the Blues among his suitors. However, as per Reshad Rahman (via transfer guru Fabrizio Romano), the Premier League giants deem the costs involved in a potential move to be 'excessive'.
That essentially rules them out of the race, which comes as a boost to cash-strapped Barca.
Football Espana has reported the player's release clause to be €58 million, which could be challenging for the Blaugrana as well, considering their well-documented financial woes, with Arsenal also in the fray.
How Barcelona and Chelsea fared in the 2023-24 season
Both Barcelona and Chelsea endured underwhelming 2023-24 campaigns. The Blaugrana finished second in La Liga, lost to Real Madrid in the Supercopa Espana final and in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions Legue.
In the European competition, Xavi's side led 4-2 on aggregate at home before conceding four unanswered goals following Ronald Araujo's red card as they ended the season trophyless.
It was a similar story for Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League following a late resurgence of five straight wins. They fared better in both domestic cups, though.
While Mauricio Pochettino's side lost 1-0 to Liverpool in extra time in the EFL Cup final, they went down by the same scoreline to holders Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
