Chelsea lose interest in La Liga forward

Chelsea will have their sights set on a top six Premier League finish after thrashing West Ham United 5-0 on Sunday. 

The Blues cruised to a comfortable victory over the Hammers, and now sit seventh in the top flight table, just two points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United.

Recent results mean that Chelsea remain in contention to qualify for European competition next term, although they will need to finish the season strongly.

Next up for Mauricio Pochettino’s side is a trip to face relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at The City Ground, but in the meantime it appears that the club have pulled out of the race to sign a La Liga star.

As per 90min, both Chelsea and Aston Villa have been put off a potential deal for Athletic Bilbao striker Nico Williams due to the player’s wage demands.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form for Bilbao so far this season, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists in 34 matches across all competitions.

Williams has been linked with a move to the Premier League

He signed a new contract at the end of last year, which features a release clause set at £43 million.

Despite that relatively modest fee, the report claims that the player’s salary expectations could prove to be a stumbling block.

Williams currently earns around £170,000-per-week, and it is suggested that he would expect a salary increase if he were to move.

The forward, who plays alongside his brother Inaki at their boyhood club, has made more than 100 appearances for Athletic in total.

Villa are said to have made attempts to sign Williams last summer, but a deal was never agreed and the Villans ultimately signed Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen instead.

Williams’ versatility is likely to appeal to Premier League clubs, with the Spaniard able to operate on either flank.