Liverpool will be facing stiff competition if they are to sign Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams. The 22-year-old Spaniard was one of the players linked with a move to Anfield in the past, but Jurgen Klopp could not close a deal for the attacker. And now Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are interested in bringing the talent to their respective leagues.
Spanish publication AS reports that the reigning Serie A champions want to add more quality to their attack and are willing to meet his buy-out clause of €50 million in the summer.
Williams had been one of the best players for the Basque side last season and although he has not done all that well this time around, he does have a lot of potential and could turn out to be a great signing for the future.
Liverpool were heavily interested in signing the Spanish U21 star and in response to that Bilbao tied down Williams to a new deal till 2021 which had the new release clause as €50 million, which earlier was €20 million.
While the Reds did miss the bus last season, it has been reported that the Merseyside club have earmarked Williams and Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as replacements for Daniel Sturridge next season.
The club have also sent scouts to the club regularly to keep a tab on Williams and seem to be interested in closing the deal. Juventus and Dortmund will have a thing or two to say about this though, and the fact that there will be a bidding war for the player will play into the hands of the La Liga side.
Athletic can take their own time in making the decision for a star in the making and reports also suggest that they might want Williams to sign another deal in the upcoming window to increase his buy-out clause once again.
While Williams is a player with a great future, the story doesn’t really add up. The Spaniard can play as a striker or a winger but the Reds have been linked with Julian Brandt and Christian Pulisic, two players that Klopp would know much better thanks to his time in the Bundesliga.
Also, Williams has not been great this season with only two goals in La Liga and just five assists. Additionally, Williams seems to be happy at the club and doesn’t want to move away from the club.
“I have always said, and I maintain, that I am where I want to be and that I am very happy in Bilbao,” Williams said recently. “I do not want a change of pace, my family is very comfortable here, my teammates are happy with me and I am very happy to be with them. My first choice will always be Athletic,
“I am where I want to be and also very happy. Having a contract [until 2021] gives stability but I am not satisfied with what I have achieved. I always aspire to have more. I want more renewals [with Athletic] to come in the future.”
The Bundesliga might still be the best option for Klopp to bring in talent and saving the money for two quality players would be better than risking it for one rising star.
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