Barcelona dream threaten to derail Liverpool hopes of triggering attacker’s €55m release clause

Liverpool have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams

According to a report from HITC (h/t The Liverpool ECHO), Liverpool have suffered a blow in their pursuit of highly-rated Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

Nico Williams, 21, enjoyed another productive campaign with Athletic Bilbao with eight goals and 19 assists in 37 appearances, earning him a spot in the Spain national team for the 2024 European Championships. He performed well in the 3-0 thrashing of Croatia in Spain’s Euro 2024 opener but was on song in his side’s 1-0 win over Italy—a result that secured La Roja’s place in the tournament’s knockout rounds.

The 21-year-old winger terrorised right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo, putting in a breathless display in Spain’s deserved victory over Italy in Gelsenkirchen earlier this week. The youngster’s displays for Athletic Bilbao and Spain haven’t gone unnoticed, with several clubs vying for his signature including Liverpool.

However, the Reds could miss out on Nico Williams’ signature this summer. The Bilbao star, who has a €55m release clause, dreams of moving to Barcelona in the future.

This comes as a big setback for Arne Slot and Liverpool as Williams was viewed as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, who has question marks over his future at Anfield.

Salah, 32, is entering the final year of his contract at Liverpool and there have been intense speculation in recent weeks and months about whether he will stay at the club or get cashed in this summer amid heavy interest from Saudi Arabia.

Last summer, the Merseyside club chose to reject an eye-watering, world-record £215 million bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for the Egypt international. Things, however, could change this time around if Al-Ittihad comes up with another mammoth offer as the star forward becomes out of contract in 2025.

Regardless of what happens with Salah, Liverpool’s interest in Williams makes total sense. The 21-year-old is creative, dynamic, hard-working, scores goals and can operate on both flanks, and such qualities would make him a fantastic fit in Arne Slot’s system at Anfield.

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While Williams is currently happy at Bilbao and dreams of moving to Barcelona one day, Liverpool must continue monitoring his performances for Spain at the ongoing Euros in Germany. If an opportunity arises out of the blues, we must strike.