Dream transfer discussions are held by Chelsea. Nico Williams substitute as harsh £225 million truth becomes evident
Current Chelsea transfer news: Kaoru Mitoma might be signed by the Blues in the summer, according to internal talks.
In the summer transfer window, Chelsea is still searching for wingers to sign, and Nico Williams is their ideal acquisition. The 22-year-old, who had a stellar season at Athletic Bilbao, has also excelled with Spain at Euro 2024, sparking strong transfer interest.
Along with the Blues, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona have also been linked to Williams. Williams just penned a new deal with a €58 million (£49 million) release clause. Even though he is being pursued by many Premier League teams, staying in Spain seems to be the most likely course of action.
With Barcelona’s financial resources to acquire Williams, relations to the Catalan giants have been more stronger in recent days. La Liga president Javier Tebas said the Spanish news agency Sport, “They [Barcelona] will be able to do so [sign Williams] if they [reach the 1:1 norm.”
“You have to think that with Barcelona’s effort to reduce their wage bill by more than €200 million (£168 million) and other measures that have already taken place within the club and that have nothing to do with the levers, they can perfectly bring in a player like Nico Williams.”
Williams is a player that Chelsea and Enzo Maresca would want to sign, but according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the difficulties would be in negotiating personal conditions; in order to reach a deal, the Blues would need Williams to drastically reduce his pay expectations. Johan Bakayoko of PSV is one of the many options that have previously been taken into consideration after losing out on Michael Olise as well.
After internal talks about a possible trade for Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, another name has suddenly reappeared on Chelsea’s shortlist, according to writer Ben Jacobs via The SPTC Podcast.
When Graham Potter moved into Stamford Bridge, Mitoma was said to be finalizing a reunion with the former Brighton manager. While he remained on the south coast, players like Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, and Moises Caicedo made the move, resulting in Chelsea giving Brighton £225 million over the previous several years. As a result, it seems doubtful that the two clubs would do business again.
After an arduous 2023–24 season in which he missed the final three months due to injury, Mitoma is returning to action. Even though it is rumored to be doubtful, Brighton has already undergone major changes, with Fabian Hurzeler taking over as head coach in lieu of Roberto De Zerbi.
In light of this, the Japan international is still free to go, and Chelsea is once more a possibility as Maresca looks to add additional players.
