Crisis club ready to GIFTWRAP £78m forward for Liverpool

Liverpool spent £450m on new players last summer.

But there are indications that Richard Hughes isn’t quite ready to quit spending. Despite registering blockbuster deals for several attackers Liverpool’s needs up top remain profound.

The uncertainty around Mohamed Salah’s future could see the Egyptian King depart in summer 2026.

And on the other side of the attack the Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes declined to add a senior left winger last summer.

Athletic Bilbao in crisis

Instead the young forward Rio Ngumoha was promoted to the first-team picture - challenging Cody Gakpo for his starting place. But that hasn’t stopped the speculation linking the Premier League champions with other forwards.

For example we have seen the likes of Bradley Barcola, Yan Diomande and Antoine Semenyo linked with moves to Anfield.

It remains to be seen which forward - if any - Liverpool end up signing but it’s now worth paying attention to what’s happening at Athletic Club in Spain.

The Basques are enduring a nightmare season - sitting outside the European places in LaLiga and set for Champions League elimination.

To cap it all off Ernesto Valverde’s side were humiliated against Barcelona in the Super Cup semi-finals this week - going down 5-0.

Liverpool can sign Nico Williams

According to El Nacional, outcomes at the end of this season will determine whether or not the Bilbao club can afford to pay Nico Williams the sums on his mammoth 10-year contract signed last summer.

Without European football Athletic may not be able to give their star forward what he earns - and could be forced to sell up. The same report lists Arsenal and Liverpool among the suitors for the Spain winger - who is contracted until 2035.

The 23-year-old has got a €90m (£78m) release clause in his club contract but on current form it’s doubtful any club will be minded to pay it.

Nico has got three goals and three assists overall this term - but one of those goals and two of the assists came in the opening day win over Sevilla.

He hasn’t been at his best following a groin injury early in the campaign - starting only 12 LaLiga matches.

Liverpool may be the ideal club to help the electrifying attacker get back to his best - but it remains to be seen how Athletic end up for the rest of the season.

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