Champions League football could be the deciding factor on whether Chelsea are able to pull off a number of their desired signings at the end of the season.
The Blues’ fate will be determined on Sunday when they take on Nottingham Forest, with both sides still having ambitions of featuring alongside Europe’s elite in the upcoming campaign.
Whether they achieve this or not, Enzo Maresca is safe in his job, and is set to be backed in the summer transfer market. Chelsea want to address four positions either before or after the Club World Cup.
One of those positions is the left wing. Noni Madueke’s shift to that position recently has shown a desire for a right-footed player to play that role.
Chelsea handed massive boost in efforts to sign Nico Williams
One player who meets that profile is Nico Williams, a winger Chelsea have held an interest in for a number of seasons now.
The Blues have reportedly been trying to get down Williams’ wages, with the Spaniard asking for a lot to be prized out of Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona have been seen as the main competitors to Chelsea for a potential move, however they may not have to worry about them this summer.
Club president Joan Laporta told Spanish publication TV3 that they are looking at other options instead of the winger this summer.
He said: “He was one of the candidates when we were evaluating Olmo and Nico. We have a good profile of this player, who is an excellent player, but I think at this moment they are evaluating other options.”
Chelsea’s other left-wing targets
Williams is not the only player the Blues are looking at who would suit the credentials they are looking for in a winger.
Ever since January, Chelsea have been mentioned as fans of Alejandro Garnacho. Enzo Maresca wanted Garnacho signed in the winter, however a deal never went through.
Recent reports have stated that they are interested again in Anthony Gordon. This follows their efforts to sign him back in 2022.
The England international has experience playing for top Premier League sides now, and would perhaps be the safest option they could sign when the window opens.
