Arsenal and Chelsea prepared to activate €58m release clause of Barcelona target Nico Williams | OneFootball

Barcelona are expected to ramp up efforts to sign Nico Williams, following the conclusion of Euro 2024. The 21-year-old is Joan Laporta’s bet to reinforce the left wing position in Hansi Flick’s squad, although they may not be able to afford to trigger his Athletic Club release clause at this moment. That’s bad news, as other clubs are seemingly willing to do just that.

As reported by The Athletic (via MD), Arsenal and Chelsea are prepared to trigger the €58m release clause in Williams’ contract. Both clubs are in the market for a new left winger, and given their respective financial strengths, they’d have little problem paying the amount required to close a deal.

While Barcelona could feel threatened by Arsenal and Chelsea stepping up their interest in Williams, it’s worth nothing that multiple reports in the last month or so have stated that the Spain star would prefer to remain in La Liga – either with Athletic Club, or in Catalonia. It remains to be seen whether that is the reality.