Chelsea are reportedly considering activating the release clause of La Liga’s Nico Williams as part of Mauricio Pochettino’s summer overhaul.

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With an expected active transfer window ahead, the Blues are looking to offload several players to accommodate new signings.

Amidst strong interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who has a £103 million release clause after signing a new deal last year with the Serie A champions, Chelsea are eyeing a more budget-friendly star signing due to Financial Fair Play constraints.

Athletic Bilbao’s winger Williams emerges as a viable option, with a £43 million release clause that Bilbao must honor if triggered. This fee is seen as reasonable in the current market.

At just 21, the Spanish international has already made 118 appearances for his club and can play on both wings. He has previously attracted attention from top clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool, but Chelsea appears to be the front-runner for his signature, as reported by the Telegraph via The Express.

After protracted negotiations, Williams extended his contract last December until December 2027, securing a significant wage and preventing Bilbao from losing him for free.

This potential move casts uncertainty on the future of Raheem Sterling at Chelsea. Raheem Sterling has faced criticism and a noticeable dip in form since his £47.5 million transfer from Manchester City in 2022.

Sterling’s performance has seen him fall out of favor with the England national team ahead of Euro 2024, despite previously expressing a desire to stay at Chelsea amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Should Williams join Chelsea, Pochettino might see him as a strategic long-term successor to Raheem Sterling, further questioning the latter’s role in the team.

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