Liverpool have been tipped to hijcak Arsenal’s effort to finish a summer transfer for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
Mikel Arteta’s side have made attacking reinforcements a key priority for the summer window after injuries to key players in the ultimate third hampered their Premier League title bid this season.
The Gunners failed with a move to sign the 22-year-old following Spain’s success at Euro 2024, but are expected to reignite their efforts this summer.
Andrea Berta, the club’s latest sporting director, is claimed to have already met representatives to debate a deal for the winger who has a €58 million (£48.4m) release clause in his current deal.
Nonetheless, former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann believes that Arsenal’s frugal approach to transfer dealings in recent windows could open the door for his former side to swoop in and sign Williams.
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‘In terms of Nico Williams, Arsenal might well be priced out as we all know they aren’t keen to be big spenders,’ Hamann told CoinCasino.
‘Arsenal have bought Declan Rice but that hasn’t been followed, otherwise they might have brought a winger in already.
‘For Liverpool, I feel centre forward needs to be a priority, but there’s no doubt that Nico Williams is an excellent player.
‘He makes things occur, he creates probabilities out of nothing and there’ll be a variety of takers. The undeniable fact that Liverpool have won the league enhances their likelihood of signing him since it’s one among the largest prizes in football.
‘Liverpool have a likelihood, but he won’t be in need of takers.’
Williams has 11 goals and 7 assists in all competitions this season and has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
But speaking before Athletic’s Europa League semi-final first leg with Manchester United, the Spain international said he had not given his future a moment’s thought.
‘The dream is to lift the champion’s trophy at San Mamés,’ he said.
‘I actually have the chance to make history at this club. The dream never ends. I’m 100% focused on tomorrow, on reaching the ultimate and winning it.
‘I don’t need to look any further. I’m super completely happy here and I’ve at all times desired to feel essential here. This can be a 10/10 season for me.’
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