Nico Williams is certainly catching the eye at the moment. The Athletic Bilbao forward starred for Spain in their Euro 2024 win over Italy on Thursday, with speculation growing over his future.
It was Williams’ cross that was inadvertently turned into his own net by Riccardo Calafiori for the game’s only goal. That wasn’t the only time Williams had the Italian defense tied in knots though, with the forward proving a constant menace.
The 21-year-old was awarded the player of the match award by UEFA for his efforts, and there no doubt would have been a few clubs watching on with interest. Liverpool could well be among those.
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Nico Williams statement, Luis Diaz replacement, Arda Guler 'loan'
READ MORE: Roy Keane doubling down on Trent Alexander-Arnold criticism shows he's missing the point
According to HITC, the Reds remain keen on Williams, although they may have a tough time convincing him on a move to Anfield. He is said to be holding out for a move to Barcelona, while he indicated last night that no move will be forthcoming while he’s still in action at the Euros.
“I’m very happy at Athletic [Club, Bilbao],” Williams said. “It’s the club that has given me everything, the one that has bet on me 100 per cent. It’s my home. I’m very happy.
“And what I want to do is focus on the European Championship 100 per cent,” he continued. “Otherwise, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have told my agent that I don’t want to know anything until the end of the European Championship.”
Nevertheless, it’s claimed that there have been talks with Liverpool. If that is the case, the Reds will hope they went better than with his brother.
Inaki Williams is nine years the senior of Nico and, like his brother, plies his trade with Athletic Bilbao. In fact, he has played for the Basque club for the entirety of his professional career.
He was offered the chance to move to Liverpool in 2019. Speaking in an interview with AS back in 2022, Williams snr revealed why he turned down the chance to complete the transfer.
“I had an option to leave,” Williams said when asked how close he came to joining Liverpool. There were contacts in which I kept my position clear. It’s nice that clubs like this try to get you, but I was always clear that I want to be at Athletic.”
Liverpool.com says: Nico Williams is certainly going to be attracting a lot of attention this summer. Hopefully Liverpool might be among those clubs taking a look at him.
It does seem though that he and his brother are very loyal to Athletic Bilbao, which might make his signing a little tricky. Hopefully Nico is more open to the idea of a move than Inaki was.
