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News
- 23 minutes ago
Nico Williams transfer RULED OUT due to 'overall cost'
Cameron Smith
- 24 Jun 2025 17:30 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea have officially “ruled out” a summer move for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams and they are instead on the verge of finalising a deal for Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Gittens.
Williams, 22, has been on Chelsea’s radar for several months, but the Blues recently cooled their interest in his services after he gave his preference to Barcelona.
Current ETV
Nico Williams
M (L)
Athletic
Nico Williams
M (L)
Athletic
ETV Range
€63.5M - €77.7M
Enzo Maresca’s side have now formally ruled out a move for the Spain international “due to the overall cost of the transfer,” according to talkSPORT.
Williams has already agreed personal terms with Barcelona and Deco has confirmed that he is pushing to join the Camp Nou outfit. Furthermore, although the Blaugrana are yet to finalise a deal with Athletic Club, Williams is expected to join the club ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
He has been tipped to become Barcelona’s starting left winger next season, with Raphinha potentially set to be deployed in a new attacking midfield role by Hansi Flick.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich have also been heavily linked with a move for Williams since the start of 2025, but a Barcelona switch beckons for the 22-year-old if the Spanish giants have the financial ability to trigger his €58 million release clause.
Chelsea to sign Jamie Gittens
David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have both confirmed that Chelsea are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Dortmund over a deal for Gittens.
The England U21 international will sign a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and he is expected to compete with Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George for a starting berth under Maresca next season.
Gittens, who is currently with Dortmund at the Club World Cup, has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 49 appearances so far this campaign.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Olympique Lyonnais’ Malick Fofana are also being monitored by Chelsea, as per multiple reports, although the Blues are currently prioritising a deal for Gittens as they look to strengthen their options in attack.
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