Chelsea inform £170k-a-week star they're ready to pay his £50m release clause
da luck： Chelsea are set for a hectic summer mini-window ahead of their looming Club World Cup campaign, which commences in just under a fortnight, and it has already started in fine fashion with the signing of Ipswich Town star Liam Delap.
Chelsea seal Liam Delap deal with more targets identified
da prosport bet： The striker has now completed his medical at Stamford Bridge, according to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, and he can now be considered a new Chelsea player as BlueCo seal their first deal of the summer.
Related Chelsea leading race for £67m "monster" and pushing hard to get deal done
The Blues are now among the frontrunners to sign another striker, despite the deal for Liam Delap edging closer to completion.
He comes in to bolster Enzo Maresca’s forward line after scoring 12 league goals for a relegated Ipswich side last season, with Chelsea activating Delap’s £30 million release clause and bringing in a striker who can be considered a real bargain.
Chelsea are by no means done there, either, and could yet bring in more players before the first mini-window shuts on June 10.
Race for Champions League qualification – Final standings
Rank
Team
Points
GD
3
Man City
71
+28
4
Chelsea
69
+21
5
Newcastle
66
+21
6
Aston Villa
66
+7
7
Nottingham Forest
65
+12
According to some reliable sources, Chelsea are actively pushing to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike after Delap, and the prospect of two quality strikers joining Maresca for next season cannot be ruled out.
The Blues are also actively pursuing a new winger, with journalist Simon Phillips sharing what he calls an “exciting” update on their chase for a wide attacker.
Chelsea tell Nico Williams' agents they're ready to pay £50m
Writing via his Substack, the reporter claims Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams is a serious target, and there has been communication between parties.
Phillips states that Chelsea held talks with Williams’ agents last week, and they’ve informed the £170,000-per-week Spain international’s camp that they’re prepared to pay his release clause, reported to be around £50 million.
“I also have some brand new and exciting news on new wingers/attacking midfielders as Chelsea look to try and push one through in the next 9 days. Nothing is guaranteed yet, but this is what they’re trying to do,” wrote Phillips.
“SPTC sources have heard that Chelsea approached the agents of Nico Williams again last week and held talks.
“The player likes the idea of London and the Premier League, but he has always had his heart set on joining Barcelona. However, they are not yet moving on him. Any negotiations here could end up being drawn out though, which would mean any involvement in the CWC is unlikely – but that is not going to be a dealbreaker by any means. It’s more important to get the right targets in. Chelsea have informed his agents that we are prepared to pay his release clause.”
The 22-year-old, after a slow start to 2024/2025, turned his form over the second half of the season and matched the kind of performances which saw him play a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph last year.
Williams racked up 19 assists in all competitions across 23/24 as well, highly impressive numbers, and there is little denying he’d add a completely new dimension in attack.