Liverpool’s potential Mo Salah replacement could be heading to the Premier League on a free transfer in 2024 with Nico Williams yet to sign a new deal amid rival interest from Aston Villa, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
As recently as last month, Jon Uriarte, the president of Athletic Bilbao, was a man convinced that his prized asset would soon be putting pen to paper on a new contract at San Mames.
Three weeks later, however, that optimism is turning to, if not quite pessimism, then certainly concern. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Aston Villa and a Liverpool side scouring the market for potential, long-term Mo Salah successors have all sent scouts to the Basque country, per 90Min.
And, as things stand, January will be Athletic’s final chance to sell Nico Williams for a substantial fee, the Spain international set to become a free-agent in July and talks over a new deal stalling.
Liverpool and Arsenal like Nico Williams
“In a few months, his contract ends. Let’s not forget that,” Felix Tainta, Williams’ agent, tells El Correo.
“There is no definitive offer from the club. In any case, the one who has to decide his future is the player. The club knows what the player’s approach is and what he wants.
“(Athletic) must listen to the player, and must try to reach an agreement that is good for both parties, always keeping in mind that the contract ends in a few months, let us not forget.”
Williams has a £43 million release clause in his contract. Aston Villa were willing to trigger said clause over the summer, while offering the jet-heeled winger a cool £115,000-a-week, but turned to Moussa Diaby after Williams opted to stay put.
With five assists in 10 La Liga appearances since then, this old-school throwback of a winger who models his game on Kylian Mbappe – all positivity and pace – is going from strength-to-strength, his reputation growing with every bamboozling dribble.
Mo Salah’s replacement at Liverpool?
“Physically I am a bit superior. Even though I am eight years older than him, in the 100 meters I still give him a cramp!” quips Inaki Williams, Nico’s elder sibling and his Athletic team-mate. “(But) in one-on-ones, however, he is practically unstoppable.
“(His rise) is incredible. He is showing that he is (improving), he is gaining experience. In front of goal, he is improving a lot. He is a talent, a rough diamond that needs to be polished. He has a lot of room for improvement and hopefully he can continue to improve.”
Williams is one of a number of potential Salah successors under consideration by Liverpool, in case their Egyptian King opts to abdicate his throne and join Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino in Saudi Arabia.
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen are among those who have also been linked.
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