Chelsea to rival Barcelona for Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams?

Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Chelsea.

Williams has spent much of his career plying his trade for the Spanish side, emerging as a key player in the final third.

The 21-year-old has provided six goals and nine assists from his last 43 appearances in La Liga, four of the latter coming from seven league outings during 2023-24.

However, Athletic face the realistic prospect of losing their star man on a free transfer with just over eight months remaining on his contract.

President John Uriarte has insisted that he remains confident about negotiating a new deal with the versatile frontman in due course.

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Uriarte claimed in recent days that Williams will remain part of their project for "many years to come", hoping that a strong league campaign could help convince him to stay at San Mames.

As it stands, though, Athletic sit in sixth place in La Liga, five points adrift of fourth, and it may result in a period of contemplation from Williams.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have already sent scouts to watch the player with a future approach seemingly deemed plausible.

Romano suggests that Chelsea failed to back up their interest in the summer, yet renewing it in a potential free agent with high resale value appears possible.

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Williams is capable of being deployed on either flank and may be viewed as competition for the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.

Chelsea also have Cole Palmer at their disposal, yet it seems that Mauricio Pochettino would prefer to use the former Manchester City man in central areas.

Barcelona have also been linked with Williams in the past, partly due to their policy of taking an interest in high-profile free transfers of late.

Liverpool, who may soon have to find an alternative to Mohamed Salah, are also keen on Williams, according to 90min, as they contemplate potential replacements for a player who could leave for the Saudi Pro League in 2024.