Liverpool want Williams, club need to pay £46m to agree major deal

Liverpool are one of the clubs showing keen interest in signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

According to The Athletic, the Reds have a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old winger who wanted to join Barcelona in the summer window.

Liverpool could face competition from Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur for the Spaniard, who has a £46m release clause in his contract.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are doing well for Barcelona, and they are not keen on signing Williams anymore.

The winger is now open to moving to the Premier League, and a potential exit in the January window cannot be ruled out.

Should Liverpool look to invest in a new attacker?

Manager Arne Slot reiterated this week that he is happy with the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp, but that does not mean they will not look to add players if there’s an opportunity.

Recruitment chiefs Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards are constantly checking on options and making plans on how to improve the squad, and they like Williams.

Liverpool do have enough quality in their attacking ranks, but they could look to sign a versatile winger, possibly as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian winger has a contract at Anfield until the end of the season, and he has not been offered a new deal yet.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Salah is ready to accept a one-year deal at the club.

Williams can play on both flanks, but he mainly operates from the left. He is very good at dribbling, crossing and making key passes, and his best years are ahead of him.

Trending

FIFA ratifies 10-month ban for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali

Liverpool should not have problems meeting his wage demands and would be able to meet his release clause if they feel he can take the club forward.