Liverpool are reportedly prepared to lodge an offer worth €50 million to sign Inaki Williams from Athletic Bilbao this coming summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, Liverpool are interested in securing the services of Inaki Williams in the summer transfer window. The Premier League champions are preparing an offer worth up to €50 million to swoop the 26-year-old Spanish forward away from Athletic Bilbao.
Inaki Williams joined the Athletic Bilbao youth setup in 2012 and after a couple of years, he made grade in the first-team squad. Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as a regular member of Los Leones‘ senior side, amassing 288 appearances, although his return of 66 goals and 40 assists is not too impressive.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old Spaniard seems to have captured the attention of many-an-aspiring suitor over the years, with Manchester United and Liverpool linked with him most heavily. Ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, it is the Reds who seem to be hot on his trails again.
Liverpool’s continued interest in Williams is far from being unfounded, considering Roberto Firmino has been linked with a possible switch to Atletico Madrid. In addition, there are speculations surrounding the futures of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as well amid a difficult season for the Merseyside club, who have imploded in the defence of their Premier League crown.
To that end, a return for Luis Suarez has been mooted, although someone like Williams could come in handy for Liverpool, either as a false nine in place of Firmino or out wide, if Salah or Mane are no longer at the club. With that being said, Liverpool seem to be quite serious with their interest in Williams.
The report suggests that the Reds are ready to offer €50 million to secure the services of the 26-year-old, who is ready to call it quits at Athletic Bilbao following their failure to win either of the two Copa del Rey finals they competed in this month. Having said that, his €138 million release clause coupled with the fact that his contract only runs out in 2028 is a stumbling block.
El Gol Digital, though, add that Bilbao could be open to doing business for a lower sum and it will be interesting to see if they are ready to accept the €50 million bid from Liverpool. For now, it looks like the Premier League champions are prepared to launch the offensive for Williams heading into the summer transfer window.