Liverpool already 'looked into' signing £48m Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target
Liverpool explored signing the winger during the summer transfer window.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Liverpool already explored looking at signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who is reportedly a transfer target for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Arsenal have been linked with Williams, both in the summer and this month with the transfer window open again. The winger caught the eye of several clubs during Euro 2024 with some stand-out performances for winners Spain. Williams has had a somewhat quiet season, despite his impressive performances in the summer. He has scored two goals and five assists this season for Bilbao, who are fourth in La Liga after 19 matches.
David Ornstein has confirmed that Liverpool already explored a deal for Williams in the summer and remain interested in the Spain international. He wrote in The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet: “Nico Williams has a host of suitors; Arsenal and Chelsea are high among them, while Liverpool looked into the viability of a deal last summer. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would like to sign Williams in this window but the finances involved make it highly unlikely and Williams is not agitating to leave Athletic Bilbao.”
Williams has a release clause of €60million [£48m] and would need to be paid up front, posing a hurdle to a potential deal. When the player’s wages are considered, it has been claimed that a summer deal is more likely. Arsenal do have some injury problems in the forward positions, with Bukayo Saka facing a spell out.
Williams could help to replace injured Arsenal star
If Arsenal were to fork out the money to bring Williams to the Emirates, it could be a major boost for Mikel Arteta who is currently without star winger Saka. Saka’s influence for Arsenal this season has been unquestionable, scoring nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions for the Gunners. However, he suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace in December.
He is expected to miss up to three months depending on how well his recovery goes after he underwent a procedure late in December. If the Gunners were to sign Williams in January, he could help fill the void that Saka has left on the wing and make a charge at league leaders Liverpool, who are currently six points and a game in hand ahead of Arsenal.
Liverpool identify Williams as Mo Salah replacement
The Reds have a dilemma of their own with a star winger, as Mo Salah is yet to sign a contract extension at Anfield, and he has indicated that this season could be his last. The Egyptian’s deal at Liverpool expires in the summer, meaning that he could leave on a free transfer, so there is much incentive for the Reds to extend his contract.
Furthermore, Salah has 21 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, and has arguably been the best player in the Premier League this season. It would be a surprise if Liverpool don’t want to keep hold of the 32-year-old. However, if Salah was to leave, it could ramp up Liverpool’s interest in Williams as he could provide Arne Slot with a long-term replacement for Salah, due to him being 10 years younger than the Egypt international.