Liverpool now ready to sign 21-year-old attacker, but he wants to join Real Madrid

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Liverpool could now lose yet another transfer battle against Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Reds have missed out on two very notable transfer targets in recent years, with Madrid snagging them both instead.

First, Aurelien Tchouameni turned down Anfield for the Bernabeu in 2022. Next, the one Liverpool really, really wanted – Jude Bellingham – followed suit a year later. Now, according to Spanish outlet AS, Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams could make it three for three.

Williams looks set to leave Athletic on a free transfer this summer. Although AS claim that his boyhood club are desperate to keep the 21-year-old, they are said to be ‘working against the clock’ in that regard.

Given his status and potential, there are reportedly many clubs interested in taking Williams off Athletic’s hands. As ever with top Spanish prospects, Real and Barca are both thought to be very keen on the attacker.

But with Barca claimed to be unable to convincingly afford him, Madrid are the more feasible destination for Williams. A move to the capital is said to ‘motivate’ the youngster, who has reportedly prioritised staying in Spain.

Nevertheless, if he does decide to head abroad, there’s claimed to be big interest in him from the Premier League in particular.

This is where Liverpool come in, with the Reds said to be ‘at the helm’ of English interest, along with Manchester City. Newcastle and Aston Villa are also mentioned, but given the choice Williams would reportedly prefer to join Real Madrid.

Liverpool fighting Madrid again

On the one hand, it could be seen as being somewhat good news that Liverpool are often fighting for the same players as Los Blancos.

As perhaps the most prestigious club in the world, they only usually go for real quality in the transfer market. That bodes well for Liverpool.

But given that they’ve also lost to them in the last three Champions League seasons, it would be really nice for the Reds to win one against Real.

If they really do want Williams, then he would represent a good opportunity to do that.

Yes, the Spain international may prefer to stay in his home country, but there are potential issues with that. Real Madrid are currently well stocked in wide forward areas and could yet add Kylian Mbappe to that mix.

Liverpool are also not exactly short of attacking fire power themselves. But with Williams able to play off his left or right foot, he could feasibly be a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.

It remains to be seen whether that’s the kind of carrot that could persuade the forward described as ‘incredible’ by brother Inaki [Sports World Ghana] to head to English shores. If Liverpool lose out to Real again though, it’ll be another gut punch.