Liverpool transfer target Nico Williams is demanding upwards of £300,000 a week from interested clubs, according to HITC.

The website claims that the Athletic Bilbao winger wants a basic wage of £250,000 a week, with appearance fees that could mean he earns an additional £50,000.

Williams is a player in high demand, with the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham also interested in securing the Spanish international’s signature this summer.

However, HITC report that all clubs have been left “shocked and staggered” by the 21-year-old’s salary expectations, which raises doubts about whether he will leave San Mames over the coming weeks.

Williams has a release clause in his contract

The forward signed a contract extension back in December, keeping him at Athletic until 2027, but it included a clause that means clubs can sign him for just €50m (£43m).

That fee has attracted a lot of interest but Williams’ wage demands could well lead to many teams, including Liverpool, ending their pursuit of the player.

Liverpool will not give Williams what he wants

If the Reds did accept the proposed salary, the Spaniard would become the club’s second-highest earner behind Mo Salah. The Egyptian international currently takes home a weekly wage of £350,000 a week.

Captain Virgil van Dijk only receives £220,000 a week so you can’t see the club agreeing to Williams’ request. His career to date simply doesn’t warrant the excessive outlay. He has had a good season, having scored 7 goals and provided 16 assists in 35 appearances, but those are not overly impressive numbers.

You can perhaps argue that you are investing in the player for the future but Liverpool have other priorities. The Merseysiders will need to recruit a new centre-back and potentially a no.6. If they are to invest heavily in a wide forward, that would suggest Salah is leaving Anfield and all the signs point towards him staying at the moment.