Arsenal, Barcelona & Chelsea handed boost in Nico Williams pursuit

Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea have been handed a significant transfer boost in the pursuit of Athletic Club superstar Nico Williams this summer by Bayern Munich's reported decision to drop out of the race for his signature.

The Spain international has been admired by Europe's elite for some time and Euro 2024 offered him the perfect opportunity to dazzle audiences across the continent. Williams was integral to La Roja being crowned champions, even scoring in the final against England.

Barcelona were desperate to sign the winger last summer after his heroics on the international stage but their disastrous financial position restricted their ability to organise a deal. In the end, their only major signing was the 22-year-old's compatriot and fellow Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo.

Barcelona will be among his many suitors, while Arsenal and Chelsea are the leading candidates in the Premier League. The Gunners and Blues even view Williams as their "dream" signing this summer.

Williams' admirers have been handed a welcomed boost in their bid to sign the phenom, with Sky Germany reporting that Bayern Munich have eliminated themselves from the race for the Athletic forward.

The German giants were another club linked with Williams but are no longer considering him, instead monitoring the evolving situation concerning Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz.

Bayern's withdrawal means one less competitor for the sought-after Spaniard, who will have his pick of suitors this summer. An extremely affordable €58m (£48.5m) release clause makes a transfer even more tantalising.

Barcelona are still considered the front-runners in the pursuit of Williams but their financial issues continue to prove a stumbling block in signing new players. For Arsenal and Chelsea, their greatest challenge is convincing him to trade La Liga for the Premier League.

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