Liverpool must move quickly to sign Nico Williams after Barcelona revealed their plans to land the Athletic Bilbao star
Liverpool have suffered a fresh blow in their pursuit of Nico Williams after Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that his club can ‘afford’ the Athletic Bilbao winger this summer.
Nico Williams has been one of the revelations of Euro 2024 in Germany this summer. The winger has netted a goal and registered an assist in four games as Spain have qualified for the tournament’s semi-finals, where they will play France on Tuesday evening.
Before heading to the European Championships, the youngster was on fire for Athletic Bilbao. He enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 La Liga campaign, supplying five goals and 11 assists in 31 league appearances. The winger’s displays for Athletic Bilbao, coupled with his form in Spain colours at Euros, has caught the eye of many top clubs including Liverpool.
Williams signed a new deal with the Basque club at the end of 2023 but his contract contains a £53million release clause. Now, Joan Laporta has declared that Barcelona can afford to sign Williams from Athletic Bilbao—the Catalan club’s top transfer target.
“I like Nico, a lot. I can say that financially we can make it happen,” Laporta told in an interview with Catalunya Radio, as relayed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X account.
“It’s result of work that has been done over all these years to reach this point. We could, of course, face a signing of this level.”
The Barcelona president’s latest comments on Williams should come as a setback for Liverpool, who are heading into a new era under Arne Slot. It is no surprise that the Reds are pushing for the signing of a new winger with the futures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz uncertain.
The Merseyside giants are ready to listen to offers for Diaz this summer, with the Colombia international attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona for some time now. It is a similar situation for Salah, who is a target for Saudi Pro League sides. The Egypt star is into his final year at Anfield, and although Liverpool have supposedly dismissed the idea of cashing him in this summer, things might change.
Liverpool appear to be in the market for an attacker and were heavily linked with Newcastle United ace Anthony Gordon. However, given that the Magpies have overcome their PSR roadblocks, they are under no obligation to sell. Williams was considered an alternative but the more the Reds wait to make their move, the further emboldened Barcelona could get to steal the Spaniard away.
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If Diaz is sold, Williams could be viewed as a perfect like-for-like replacement. The Spaniard has lit up the European Championships with his pace, dynamism, flair and invention. He possesses the X-factor that would hugely benefit Liverpool, whilst providing them with a different dimension in attack. The Bilbao star is only 21 and could go on to achieve bigger things provided he gets the right coaching and guidance.
That said, Laporta’s recent revelations should ring the alarm bells for Liverpool, and if we are seriously interested in Williams, our board must quickly act.
