Liverpool are planning another big move in the transfer market, and this time, the story is centred on one of the most exciting young wingers in European football. Reports from Spain have revealed that the Reds are readying a £65 million offer for Athletic Club’s explosive star Nico Williams, a player many believe is an even better dribbler than Barcelona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal. As Mohamed Salah approaches the final years of his Liverpool career, this new development signals a shift in planning at Anfield — a vision of the future without the Egyptian King.
The thought of replacing Salah feels almost impossible. Since joining from AS Roma in 2017, he has become not just Liverpool’s most consistent performer, but also a symbol of the club’s modern success. His goals, work rate, and ability to decide games in an instant have made him one of the greatest players to ever wear the red shirt. The numbers alone are staggering — 411 appearances, 248 goals, and 116 assists. Those are statistics that define an era and tell the story of a player who carried Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League glory. So, how do you replace someone like that?
For Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s transfer masterminds, this challenge is not new. They’ve rebuilt and evolved squads before, and now they’re preparing to do it again. Their plan seems to revolve around spreading Salah’s attacking responsibility across several players, rather than expecting one person to replicate his impact. Instead of hunting for another pure goalscorer, Liverpool are now looking at dynamic and creative wide players who can provide flair, pace, and unpredictability. That’s where Nico Williams comes in.
Williams is not your typical winger. The 23-year-old has already established himself as one of the brightest talents in Spain. His combination of lightning speed, close control, and fearlessness in one-on-one situations makes him one of the most dangerous dribblers in La Liga. Analysts have compared his ability to beat defenders to some of the greats, and in pure take-on success, he is even outperforming the highly-rated Lamine Yamal. According to the latest stats, Williams boasts a 48.5% dribble success rate, slightly higher than Yamal’s 47.7%. That small difference might not sound huge, but in football terms, it’s the mark of someone with supreme confidence and precision.
It’s not just numbers that make Williams special — it’s the way he plays. Every time he touches the ball, there’s a spark. He has that rare quality of making fans rise to their feet, knowing that something exciting might happen. His low centre of gravity allows him to glide past defenders effortlessly, while his balance and pace make him almost impossible to stop when in full flow. It’s no wonder Ben Mattinson, a football analyst, once described him as “electric.” That word captures him perfectly — quick, powerful, and full of energy.
Liverpool’s interest in Williams is not new. The Reds have been tracking him since his teenage years, admiring how he developed at Athletic Club — a team famous for only using Basque players. Despite interest from European giants like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Williams decided to remain loyal to his boyhood club last summer by signing a new deal. That decision was widely praised in Spain as a sign of his maturity and character. However, football moves fast, and with Liverpool now showing serious intent, his loyalty could soon be tested again.
The proposed £65 million offer, while massive, is still below Williams’ release clause of £78 million. It’s clear that Liverpool believe they can tempt both the player and his club with a carefully structured deal. Athletic Club are known for being tough negotiators — they don’t sell easily. But when Premier League money comes calling, it’s hard for any La Liga side outside Real Madrid and Barcelona to say no.
Liverpool’s timing is also strategic. Salah’s contract expires in 2027, and by then he will be 35 years old. The club want to be fully prepared for life after him, ensuring there’s no sudden drop in attacking quality. Bringing in a player like Williams now, or even by 2026, would give him time to settle into the Premier League and adapt to Arne Slot’s system before taking on the responsibility of being Liverpool’s new right-wing dynamo.
It’s worth noting that Williams is not a carbon copy of Salah. He’s less of a pure finisher and more of a creative winger who loves to provide assists and stretch defences. That fits perfectly with Liverpool’s evolving tactical structure under Slot, who values fluid attacking movement and versatility. With an out-and-out striker like Alexander Isak reportedly on the radar or already lined up in future plans, Liverpool could choose to replace Salah’s goals through collective contribution — by combining the creativity of Williams, the intelligence of Isak, and the energy of midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
Michael Olise of Bayern Munich was also being considered for the Salah succession plan. The Frenchman, now thriving in Germany, has been another name on Liverpool’s list for months. But as reports suggest, the Reds seem to be shifting focus from Olise to Williams. This change in direction might be influenced by the stylistic differences between both players. While Olise is more of a technical playmaker who drifts inside, Williams offers direct running and width — something Liverpool have historically relied on to stretch teams, especially at Anfield.
When you look at the data, the comparison between Williams and Yamal becomes fascinating. Both are young, both play in La Liga, and both have the flair and fearlessness that makes fans fall in love. But Williams has more senior experience, more physical strength, and a proven record at international level with Spain. At 23, he’s entering his prime, while Yamal, still a teenager, is in the early stages of his development. That maturity and readiness could make Williams the more suitable choice for a club like Liverpool, who need an immediate impact.
Liverpool have built a reputation for signing players just before they explode into global stardom — think of Sadio Mané from Southampton, Mohamed Salah from Roma, and Diogo Jota from Wolves. They have a pattern of identifying players ready to take the next big step. Williams fits that description perfectly. He’s already shining in Spain, but moving to the Premier League would elevate him into a bigger spotlight, especially under the weight of replacing a legend like Salah.
Of course, replacing Salah isn’t only about numbers — it’s also about leadership, mentality, and consistency. Salah’s professionalism and hunger have been unmatched, setting standards in training and on matchdays. Any player coming in will face the pressure of being compared to one of the best in world football. That’s why Liverpool’s scouting team are not just looking at technical skills but also at personality and attitude. Williams has shown loyalty, humility, and a team-first mentality — qualities that would help him fit into the culture at Anfield.
If Liverpool manage to land Williams, it would also send a strong message to the rest of Europe that the club is still a top destination for elite talent. In recent years, Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea have spent enormous sums to lure young stars, but Liverpool’s model has always been more strategic — targeted investment in players who fit the system rather than flashy signings for the sake of headlines. Williams would represent the perfect balance of excitement and logic — a calculated gamble with massive upside.
The coming months will be crucial. If Williams continues to perform at his current level for Athletic Club, interest will only grow. Barcelona could return for him, especially if they fail to secure other targets. PSG and Bayern Munich also remain interested. That means Liverpool will have to act fast and show real intent, not just admiration from afar. With the club’s recruitment team already working ahead of schedule, an official approach could come as early as 2026 when Salah’s contract enters its final year.
For now, Liverpool fans can dream. The idea of seeing Nico Williams in red — gliding past defenders, electrifying Anfield, and forming a new attacking trio with Isak and Díaz — feels like a glimpse of the next era. It’s the kind of story that excites supporters because it shows that even as legends move on, the club continues to evolve. Salah’s shadow will always loom large, but football is about renewal, about finding new heroes to carry the torch.
In the end, no one will truly replace Salah. Legends aren’t replaced — they’re remembered. But Liverpool’s next generation must build their own story, and players like Nico Williams might just be the beginning of that chapter. For £65 million, Liverpool wouldn’t just be buying a footballer; they’d be investing in the future of their identity — pace, passion, and pure excitement down the wing.
As the reports swirl and speculation intensifies, one thing is clear: Liverpool are planning ahead. They know that great teams don’t wait until the last moment to rebuild; they prepare years in advance. And if this move for Williams becomes reality, the transition from Salah to the next star could be smoother than anyone expects.
So as the days go by and the football world keeps its eyes on La Liga, Liverpool’s scouts will continue watching. Every dribble, every assist, every flash of brilliance from Nico Williams will be noted. Because somewhere in Anfield’s offices, plans are already being drawn — plans to bring another electric star to Merseyside, one who could light up the Kop for years to come. And maybe, just maybe, when Salah’s era comes to an end, the next great chapter of Liverpool’s attacking story will already be waiting in the wings.
