Liverpool are preparing a shock €95m (£83m) offer to sign Athletic Club star forward Nico Williams next year, according to reports in Spain.
The defending Premier League champions are looking to further bolster Arne Slot’s attacking options with another marquee signing, following their summer spree on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
While they have been heavily linked with a move for Bournemouth ace Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool now appear to be eyeing Williams as an alternative and are reportedly looking to take advantage of his €95m release clause.
Slot is reportedly viewing Williams as a successor to Mohamed Salah, whose future at the club has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks.
Liverpool Keen on Athletic’s Nico Williams
Nico Williams in action for Athletic Bilbao
According to Spanish publication Fichajes, Liverpool are planning to step up their interest in Williams in the upcoming transfer windows, despite spending over £450m on new signings this summer.
The Reds are believed to be keeping a close eye on the forward, praised as ‘one of the best wingers in the world’, who only penned a new long-term deal with Athletic last summer, keeping him at the club until June 2035.
Williams has struggled for consistency this season in Spain, netting three goals and providing three assists in 13 league appearances.
The forward’s campaign was disrupted by a muscle injury for almost a month in September, causing him to miss five games across all competitions.
Williams is playing Champions League football for the first time in his career this term but has yet to register a goal involvement in his three appearances.
Semenyo Remains a Cheaper Alternative
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo shouts.
Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Newcastle United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - September 21, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
With Williams’ release clause standing at around £83m, Semenyo remains a cheaper winger alternative for Liverpool.
The Ghanaian is available to leave Bournemouth for £65m this January and has no shortage of suitors in the Premier League.
The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham are all believed to be interested in the forward, who has seven goals and three assists in 15 Premier League appearances.
Semenyo would reunite with his former Bournemouth teammate Milos Kerkez at Liverpool, who signed the Hungarian for £40m in July.
Liverpool Want Salah to Stay
Mohamed Salah
Amid their emerging plans to sign a new winger, Liverpool remain intent on keeping Salah at the club at least until the end of the season.
According to reports, while the Reds are unlikely to guarantee the Egyptian regular playing time following his return to the matchday squad for the 2-0 win over Brighton, they have no intention of selling him in the upcoming transfer window.