The rumour mill is in overdrive as the summer transfer window is around the corner, and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams is a name that crops up again and again with Liverpool.
Many top clubs, including the Reds, have shown interest in the 22-year-old Spanish international’s phenomenal performance this season.
Liverpool’s need for attacking reinforcements has been well-documented, with Mohamed Salah’s future uncertain and the club looking to overhaul its frontline under Arne Slot.
Williams, who is famous for his blistering pace and ability to take on defenders, seems to be a natural fit for Liverpool’s high-pressing system. Rumors have already linked the winger with a potential transfer to Anfield, and his recent comments about Kylian Mbappé have only fueled the speculation.
When prompted to name the player he most respects on the field, Williams did not hesitate in naming Mbappe.
Winger I look up to? Kylian Mbappé. He’s the ultimate attacker”. “For me, he’s one of the most complete players in the world right now”, Williams told L’Équipé.
His appreciation for Mbappé is enlightening.
The French superstar’s directness, lethal finishing, and ability to flip games on their head are the sort of qualities Liverpool appreciate in their strikers. While Williams is yet to fully develop, he possesses the same qualities—brash dribbling, speed, and a hunger to make something happen in the final third.
The Liverpool links are plausible.
His €50m buyout clause makes him a reachable target, and with the club planning to be busy in the market, he is one option to look into for the long haul.
The Reds have already seen firsthand the impact of Spanish greatness at Anfield, having seen Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, and Luis García depart their legacies.
Of course, Williams will have his pick of the bunch. Barcelona and a number of Premier League clubs are tracking him as well.
But if Liverpool wants to make a serious investment in an exciting young winger with world-class potential, they could do much worse than try to sign a player who wants to follow in Mbappé’s footsteps!
