Liverpool target Nico Williams is warming to the idea of leaving Athletic Bilbao for the Premier League, according to reports.

Barcelona have long been the favourites to snap up the Spanish international but The Athletic claim that the Catalan club are now “unlikely” to make a bid for him this summer.

It means that Williams is more “open” to making the switch to England, having originally had his heart set on a transfer to the Camp Nou.

The news will alert several Premier League clubs. In addition to Liverpool, it is believed Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are keeping tabs on his situation.

Teams already know how much it will cost to sign Williams

There is a release clause in the 22-year-old’s contract that means he can leave Bilbao for €60m (£50m) at the end of the season.

Clubs have been reluctant to trigger it up until now due to the belief that Williams was only really keen on a move to Barca, but it does appear as if things have changed on that front.

The forward’s salary could also be a potential stumbling block as he is already earning £168,000 a week. Most reports suggest that he may demand a wage above £200,000 a week from potential suitors.

Do Liverpool need to sign another winger?

Williams’ best position is on the left flank and that is not an area of the pitch where head coach Arne Slot is short of options. Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa can all be deployed there if required.

There has been some speculation about Diaz’s future in recent days so there is a possibility that Williams is being lined up as a potential replacement for the Colombian. Even so, you can’t really put a case forward to say that he should be signed ahead of a No.9.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here