Liverpool are said to be interested in completing the signing of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, in a potentially eye-catching piece of business.
The Reds still arguably look short in attacking areas currently, despite spending big on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in the summer transfer window.
Out wide, Liverpool have struggled to fire this season, with Mohamed Salah well below his best far too often, and Cody Gakpo also flattering to deceive when it comes to his impact on matches.
According to a report from Spain, the Premier League champions are now eyeing a move for Bilbao star Williams, as they look for a potential upgrade on Gakpo on the left wing.
The Reds have even reportedly made contact over the transfer, with the Spain international having an £83.3m release clause in his current contract.
Would Williams be an upgrade on Gakpo for Liverpool?
Williams is a fantastic player who showcased his quality for Spain at Euro 2024 last summer, winning the competition and being hailed by former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who thinks he is even better than Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal:
“Nico Williams is wonderful. During the Euro, everyone was talking about Lamine Yamal, who is obviously another fantastic young talent, but I personally prefer Nico.”
This is enormous praise for the 23-year-old Williams, who combines pace, power and end product to devastating effect, often from the left flank.
He has three goals and two assists to his name in 10 La Liga starts so far this season – 34 and 33 in 184 appearances for Bilbao in total, respectively – and given his age, there is still so much time for him to become a more polished and elite footballer over time.
With all due respect to Gakpo, he can be improved upon, with the Dutchman a very good player but not a world-class one, and Williams could be an ideal figure to come in and be a key starter.
Granted, it would be yet another expensive attacking signing, which may be an issue for Liverpool financially, but if they know they could get a hefty fee for Salah in January or next summer, it would make it less of a risk.