‘Sent their scouts’ - Transfer expert claims Arsenal and Chelsea chasing £50m La Liga star

Arsenal and Chelsea are targeting Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams, according to reports.

Neither club are short of options out wide, boasting arguably the best wingers in the Premier League. The Gunners can call upon Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson while Chelsea boast Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling within their ranks.

But Williams, whose brother Inaki also stars for Bilbao, has caught the eye of several European heavyweights. The 21-year-old was reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool as recently as last summer.

That was months after he made the Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup, where he played all four games before crashing out at the round of 16 against Morocco. A quick, direct winger, Williams has three years remaining on his contract at Los Leones and is valued at around £50million.

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed the two London juggernauts are weighing up a potential summer move for the youngster. Williams would fit the age and profile for both clubs and, according to Romano, is tailor-made for the Premier League.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, the reporter added how Arsenal and Chelsea have scouted Williams ahead of a possible approach. Romano said: “Arsenal have also sent their scouts to follow Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao multiple times and it’s the same for Chelsea as they included him in the list last summer. The race is completely open, and nothing is advanced with either club so far. He’d be great in the Premier League, in my opinion. A physical and technical player (and) very good one.”

Arsenal kept their Premier League title hopes well intact over the weekend with a thumping 6-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon while Chelsea face Crystal Palace on Monday night in another all-London affair.