Liverpool's urgent hunt: can Nico Williams fill Salah's void?

Journalist Liverpool are scrambling to replace Mohamed Salah after his departure, and have set their sights on Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. The 24‑year‑old’s £77 million release clause offers the Reds a concrete price point as they search for a new attacking outlet.

Salah’s exit leaves a clear gap; he contributed 12 goals and 10 assists in his final season with Liverpool. Those numbers underline the attacking output the Reds now lack.

Williams signed a ten‑year deal with Athletic Bilbao that runs to 2035, embedding a £77 million release clause. In the 2023/24 campaign he logged 18 direct goal involvements across 31 league games, while the following two seasons saw ten each.

Ekrem Konur clarified on X that “Liverpool are interested in Nico Williams, but Arsenal’s pursuit is currently more advanced.” He added that Arsenal have opened new contacts with Athletic Club’s sporting director Andrea Berta to assess a possible deal.

Bradley Barcola, the PSG forward, remains Liverpool’s top priority, yet the club’s scouting reports acknowledge Williams as a viable La Liga alternative. His electric pace and quick feet match the profile Liverpool seek despite a lower end‑product than Salah.

The next step for Liverpool involves weighing Arsenal’s advanced chase against their own budget constraints. While the release clause is attainable for Premier League clubs, the Reds must decide if Williams’ potential justifies the £77 million outlay alongside the Barcola target. The Reds have highlighted the clause as a pivotal factor in any transfer negotiation.