Where Athletic Club now think Nico Williams will end up after Liverpool links

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Athletic Club reportedly have an idea of where Nico Williams will end up this summer after rumoured interest from Liverpool.

The Spanish international has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in Europe this transfer window after an outstanding Euro 2024 campaign, with Williams scoring in the final against England.

With FC Barcelona believed to be in the driving seat to sign Williams, Liverpool have been losing key ground in their bid to land the attacker, who could be viewed as a marquee addition for Arne Slot this summer.

And Williams’ club, Athletic, seems to have an idea of where the forward will end up this summer.

Athletic predict Williams to snub Liverpool to stay in Bilbao

According to the Sunday Mirror (21/07, pg 74), the Basque giants believe Williams will stay with Athletic this summer, with the La Liga side confident that the likes of Liverpool will fail to meet the forward’s sky-high wages.

As per the report, Barcelona remain in the hunt for Williams, who is also wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea this summer, with the attacker having a release clause in his Athletic contract worth £49m.

Indeed, with Athletic now internally confident that their star asset will remain in Bilbao this summer, there’s a real chance that Liverpool could be out of the race to sign Williams, despite how ideal a move would be.

The left-side of the attack could do with a new recruit this window, and in Williams, Liverpool would have had the perfect signing for the role given his age, style of play and incredible summer at the Euros with Spain.

Liverpool need to move on to new targets after Williams blow

With Athletic now confident that Williams still stay in the Basque country this summer, Liverpool would be wise to move on to new targets this summer with the Spanish international seemingly off the table.

The 22-year-old would have been a dream signing for the Reds, yet with the summer transfer window passing by, Liverpool need to identify a new slate of targets heading into the new Premier League season.

A forward would be a welcome addition for Liverpool, and work needs to begin soon on finding the right alternative to Williams, who now looks set to stay in Spain and to continue his development with Athletic.