Report: After missing out on Michael Olise, Chelsea now ready to trigger £46m release clause of Arsenal target
06/23/2024 11:45 AM
Chelsea could now scupper Arsenal’s plans to sign one of UEFA EURO 2024’s most exciting performers after missing out on Michael Olise.
The Blues were very keen to sign the France U21 international from Crystal Palace this summer – although he has just decided to join Bayern Munich instead.
As a result of Michael Olise‘s decision, Chelsea are now ready to trigger the release clause of a player Mikel Arteta wants at Arsenal…
Chelsea set to activate Nico Williams release clause
A story from Sky Sports now states that Chelsea will trigger the release clause of Athletic Bilbao No.11 Nico Williams after missing out on Olise.
It comes after Fabrizio Romano claimed that Arsenal have made contact with Athletic Bilbao as the Gunners try to sign the Spain international this summer.
Sky Sports mention that Chelsea intend to trigger the winger’s €55m (£46m) release clause, with Enzo Maresca happy to welcome the 21-year-old into his squad at Stamford Bridge.
Williams has arguably been the most exciting performer at UEFA EURO 2024 so far, completing six successful dribbles across two matches so far, putting him level with Germany’s Jamal Musiala – fine company, to say the least.
The man from Pamplona impressively scored eight goals and provided 19 assists in 37 appearances last season – helping Athletic Bilbao win the Copa del Rey.
Who Arsenal could turn to as an alternative
If Chelsea do manage to beat Arsenal to the signing of Williams, Edu – Director of Football at the Emirates Stadium – has some alternatives he can pursue on his shortlist.
One of those is rumoured to be Crystal Palace No.10 Ebere Eze, another exciting attacker who thrives when it comes to dribbling – only Bruno Guimaraes, Doku and Mohammed Kudus completed more successful dribbles in the Premier League last season.
| Player | Club | Dribbles completed |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Kudus | West Ham | 124 |
| Jeremy Doku | Man City | 87 |
| Bruno Guimaraes | Newcastle | 72 |
| Eberechi Eze | Crystal Palace | 69 |
| Luis Diaz | Liverpool | 67 |
| Ross Barkley | Luton | 66 |
| Matheus Cunha | Wolves | 64 |
| Rayan Ait-Nouri | Wolves | 62 |
| Chiedozie Ogbene | Luton | 61 |
| Leon Bailey | Aston Villa | 57 |
It was respected journalist Pete Graves – speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk Podcast – who revealed Arsenal would like to sign the England international.
Another option for Edu and Arteta could be Wolves No.7 Pedro Neto, with insiders at Wolves expecting the Portugal international to be sold in a £60m deal this summer due to concerns regarding the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
READ MORE: “What a player”: Granit Xhaka hails £265,000-a-week Arsenal man who Mikel Arteta wants to sell
Be sure to keep an eye on developments at Arsenal, as we expect the Gunners to be fairly busy in the market this summer…
