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<p>Premier League giants <a target="_blank" href="https://gistreel.com/tag/arsenal"><strong>Arsenal</strong></a> and <strong>Chelsea</strong> have reportedly cooled interest in pursuit of Athletic Club winger <a target="_blank" href="https://gistreel.com/tag/nico-williams"><strong>Nico Williams</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This is because the 22-year-old is increasingly pushing for a move to Barcelona this summer.</p>
<p>Williams, who has a €58 million release clause, has been on the radar of top English clubs for several months.</p>
<p>However, following a key meeting last week between his agent Felix Tainta and Barcelona’s Director of Football, Deco, the Blaugrana are now frontrunners to land the highly-rated Spanish international.</p>
<p>According to The Athletic, both Arsenal and Chelsea have pulled back due to a combination of Williams’ steep salary demands and his clear preference for a Camp Nou switch.</p>
<p>Sources close to the negotiations say the player has communicated that he is prioritising a move to Catalonia over potential offers from the Premier League.</p>
<p>Mikel Arteta had been an admirer of Williams’ style of play, but Arsenal are now turning their attention to other targets, including Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes.</p>
<p>That pursuit, however, also comes with financial hurdles. Chelsea, meanwhile, are exploring a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as an alternative.</p>
<p>Barcelona’s revived interest comes after frustrations in their attempts to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.</p>
<p>With Hansi Flick reportedly keen on pairing Williams with Lamine Yamal, the Catalans are working to assess the financial viability of the deal under La Liga’s strict registration rules.</p>
<p>Unless Athletic Club can persuade Williams to renew, the path now appears clear for Barcelona, if they can afford it.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.gistreel.com/arsenal-chelsea-cool-interest-in-e60m-nico-williams-as-winger-prioritises-barcelona-move/" previewlistener="true">Source link </a></p>

