Liverpool are moving again. Quietly, carefully, but with clear intent. After weeks of tension, mixed results, internal drama, and transfer uncertainty, the club is once again being linked with a player who could change the future of their attack. This time, the name coming out of Spain is Nico Williams, the Athletic Bilbao winger who has been admired across Europe for years and who now appears ready to finally leave La Liga behind and test himself in the Premier League.
Reports from Spain claim that Williams has already accepted the idea of joining Liverpool and is open to the move that could see him wear red at Anfield in the near future. For a player who turned down multiple chances to leave Bilbao in the past, this feels like a major shift in mindset. It also comes at a moment when Liverpool are clearly searching for new energy, new pace, and new solutions in wide attacking areas.
The timing of these reports is not random. Liverpool’s season has been turbulent. While recent results have improved, the overall picture has been far from smooth. Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge has been filled with ups and downs, moments of promise mixed with spells of frustration. Wins against Inter Milan in the Champions League and back-to-back Premier League victories over Brighton and Tottenham have restored some belief, but the scars of earlier struggles are still visible.
At one point, Liverpool had won just seven of their last 18 matches in all competitions. For a club used to challenging for titles and trophies, that run raised serious questions. Fans began to wonder whether the transition from the previous era was proving harder than expected. Players appeared unsure at times. Performances lacked rhythm. And behind the scenes, tension was building.
The most explosive moment came when Mohamed Salah publicly expressed his anger. After being left on the bench for three straight matches, Salah spoke out following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United. His words were sharp, emotional, and impossible to ignore. He said he felt “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and revealed that his relationship with Arne Slot no longer existed.
Those comments sent shockwaves through the club and across English football. Salah has been the face of Liverpool’s attack for years. He is a legend at Anfield, a record-breaker, a leader, and a symbol of the club’s success. To hear him speak so openly about his frustration suggested a deeper issue than simple rotation.
Liverpool’s hierarchy acted quickly. Along with Slot, they made the bold decision to leave Salah out of the squad entirely for the Champions League clash against Inter Milan. It was a risky move, but it sent a message that no player, no matter how important, is bigger than the team. After that match, calm discussions took place. Peace talks, as they were described. Salah returned to the squad and featured in the win over Brighton, suggesting that the worst of the conflict had been resolved, at least for now.
Even so, the episode raised serious questions about Liverpool’s long-term attacking plans. Salah is no longer young. His future beyond this season remains uncertain. And while the club insist that he is staying for now, the idea of planning for life after Salah is no longer theoretical. It is a reality. That is where Nico Williams comes in.
Williams has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time. A fast, fearless winger with explosive acceleration, close control, and the ability to beat defenders one-on-one, he fits the profile of the modern wide forward Liverpool crave. He is direct, aggressive, and brave in possession. He is also still young, meaning there is room for growth.
At Athletic Bilbao, Williams has been both a star and a symbol. Like many players who come through the club’s unique system, he carries a deep connection to the badge. That loyalty is one of the reasons he stayed last summer despite interest from Barcelona and Premier League clubs. He signed a new contract and committed himself to Bilbao, choosing stability and comfort over risk.
But according to reports, he now regrets that decision.
Sources in Spain claim that Williams feels he missed his moment. That staying put may have slowed his progress and limited his exposure on the biggest stages. While Athletic remain competitive, they cannot offer the same level of global spotlight or trophy potential as Europe’s elite clubs. For a player entering his prime, ambition begins to outweigh sentiment.
Barcelona were once seen as his most likely destination. A move that felt almost inevitable at one stage. But that door is now said to be closed permanently. Financial problems, internal politics, and changing priorities have ended any chance of Williams joining the Catalan club. With that option gone, attention has turned firmly toward England.
Liverpool, according to reports, have made their interest clear. They are searching for a world-class left winger and have been in contact with Williams’ agent. The response from the player’s camp has been positive. Very positive. The idea of playing at Anfield, under a coach who values high intensity and attacking freedom, is said to appeal greatly to him.
Nothing is finalised yet. No agreement has been signed. But the direction of travel feels obvious. While his release clause has risen to €95 million, Liverpool are known for careful planning and long-term recruitment. They rarely panic-buy. If they believe Williams is the right fit, they will find a way to make the deal work, even if it means waiting until the right moment.
The reports suggest that 2026 could be the year Williams finally says goodbye to Athletic Bilbao. A farewell to the club he joined as a child. A step into a new league, a new culture, and a new level of expectation.
Liverpool’s interest in Williams also reflects the changing shape of their transfer strategy. Earlier links to Antoine Semenyo now appear to have cooled, with the player reportedly preferring a move to Manchester City. Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has also been mentioned, but nothing concrete has emerged on that front.
Meanwhile, events elsewhere have complicated Liverpool’s plans. Alexander Isak’s serious leg injury has removed one potential option from the market and altered the landscape of the January transfer window. His injury, suffered in a dramatic win over Tottenham, has ruled him out for several months and forced Liverpool to rethink their short-term needs.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are now actively considering entering the January market. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that the club is assessing whether to strengthen one or two positions following Isak’s injury and recent developments within the squad.
Romano’s words were careful but telling. He did not guarantee signings. He did not promise spending. But he made it clear that Liverpool are alert, prepared, and willing to act if the right opportunity presents itself.For fans, that is both reassuring and exciting.
The idea of Nico Williams in a Liverpool shirt sparks imagination. His pace on the wing, his ability to stretch defences, his hunger to prove himself outside Spain. He would not arrive as a finished product but as a player ready to be shaped, refined, and elevated.
There is also a symbolic elements to this potential move. Liverpool are entering a new era. The departure of a legendary manager, the reshaping of the squad, the emergence of new leaders. Signing a player like Williams would signal intent. It would say that Liverpool are not standing still. That they are still a destination for Europe’s brightest talents.
Of course, challenges remain. The Premier League is unforgiving. Adapting from La Liga takes time. Pressure at Anfield is intense. Every touch is judged. Every mistake magnified. Williams would need patience, support, and trust.
But Liverpool have built a reputation for helping players thrive. For turning raw talent into world-class performers. For creating an environment where ambition is rewarded.
As the season continues, much will depend on results, relationships, and timing. Salah’s future remains a delicate subject. January could bring movement or silence. Summer will bring decisions that shape the next chapter of the club’s story.
For now, Nico Williams stands as a symbol of possibility. A reminder that Liverpool are still watching, still planning, still dreaming. Whether the move happens next year or later, the message is clear. The Reds are preparing for the future, and they are doing so with purpose.
And somewhere in Bilbao, a winger who once chose loyalty over ambition may now be ready to chase something bigger. A louder stage. A faster league. A red shirt under the Anfield lights.
