Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester United among five clubs after Nico Williams of Spain
Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Liverpool were linked with a move for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams recently by Fichajes (h/t Liverpool.com).
Now, Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Liverpool.com) claim that the Reds, along with Real Madrid, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid want the 20-year-old winger.
He has been a brilliant presence in manager Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club side, where he has been since the summer of 2013. The pacey winger, who likes taking on defenders down the flank, is the archetype of a modern-day winger.
No one travels to the FIFA World Cup at the age of 20 without having bags of talent. He is something special and with time, Nico Williams can only get better. And that’s why the Reds would be wise to stave off competition from Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus for his signature.
The worry with the two Madrid clubs is that they offer him the chance to stay in his homeland. United have countless young wingers, which would make Williams a very odd signing for them, while Juventus don’t have that glamour about them anymore.
What should Liverpool do?
He has scored four goals and four assists in 15 games across competitions this campaign. His contract expires in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt), which is where things get interesting.
If he doesn’t renew his deal, then one can expect his valuation and Athletic Club’s potential eagerness to offload him for a fee rather than losing him on a free transfer to increase. That’s just the basics of the transfer market.
And this is where the Reds need to be on their toes, ready to pounce. Mohamed Salah is our main up front and despite the high-profile arrival of Darwin Nunez, he continues to be our star forward. But he is not immune to time.
He is 30 years old and once wingers see a drop in their pace and fitness, they start to lose their shine playing down the flanks. Salah can be an exception to that given his fitness levels, but the Reds must start thinking about a future beyond him.
More Liverpool News:
- Matthew Upson slams Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez for Uruguay performance against Portugal
- Liverpool have rejected the chance to sign Brighton & Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard
- Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes England manager Gareth Southgate does not trust Trent Alexander-Arnold
Williams, who has made two substitute appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup for manager Luis Enrique’s Spain, could be that man. He is 10 years younger to Salah and while he can wait to succeed the Egyptian in the future at Anfield, the Athletic Club man will be a brilliant option to bring off the bench for us in the short term – and play as Salah’s understudy.
