Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has admitted that he previously spoke with Liverpool about a move to Anfield.
In an interview with AS yesterday, Williams was asked how close he was to joining Liverpool.
“I had a choice to leave. There were contacts in which I kept my position clear. It’s nice that clubs like that try you, but I was always clear that I want to be at Athletic,” said the 28-year-old.
That’s a shame, Williams is an explosive talent who could have done well at Liverpool. But given that he would have cost over £70m and hasn’t really kicked-on since, perhaps the Reds dodged one here.
Liverpool still hoping to land a Williams
You have to hand it to Williams. There aren’t too many players who would stick around at their boyhood club after advances from one of the top teams on the continent.
It isn’t clear exactly when Liverpool were interested in signing the Ghana international. But there were strong rumours that the Reds tried to get him in 2019.
At twenty-five, Williams would have then been the right kind of age for a typical Liverpool signing. As a pacy, strong and technically sound wide man, it’s easy to see why Jurgen Klopp would have targeted him.
Seeing as they couldn’t secure Inaki, there have been rumours that the Reds will go after his younger brother, Nico.
Already a full Spain international at twenty, the junior Williams brother could perhaps be even more talented than the senior.
Having seen his older sibling stay put and become a modern-day Athletic legend, maybe Nico will be tempted to do the same. But on the other hand, he could be keen to do what his brother never did and leave the unique Basque club.
The ship has definitely now sailed for Inaki and Liverpool. After the contact with Liverpool, he signed a new nine-year contract in 2019. According to The Daily Mail that contains a £125m release clause. As a result, he’ll likely now settle into being a one club man.
Liverpool will still retain hope that they could persuade the new Williams that the grass could be greener on Merseyside, though.
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