Liverpool last summer made big alterations to their strike line.
We saw players like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez depart as Richard Hughes and Arne Slot made room for new faces.
As part of a £450m transfer splurge deals were concluded for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for British record fees. Hugo Ekitike was also recruited at sizeable cost as the centre of the frontline got a makeover.
This summer however and it looks like the changes are coming out wide. Mohamed Salah’s glorious spell at the club is at an end and reserve right-winger Federico Chiesa will join him in the departure lounge.
On the other side uncertainty reigns over Cody Gakpo following Slot’s sacking and Rio Ngumoha is the subject of unwelcome transfer interest from Bayern Munich.
And having failed to adequately replace Diaz Hughes and new head coach Andoni Iraola may well consider a threat from out wide as a priority.
Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola and Francisco Trincao have all been named as potential targets and now an old favourite could be looming back into focus.
A report in Fichajes claims a Premier League showdown is going to take place for Athletic Club’s Nico Williams this summer.
The Spaniard, 23, is currently away at the FIFA World Cup with his national team but will return to his club side with a determination to move on.
“Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all interested in the Athletic Club winger,” the report reads.
“The talented striker from Pamplona has made the firm decision to take the biggest competitive leap of his career.
“The offices at San Mamés acknowledge that retaining their star player will be an extremely difficult task this June, given that the 23-year-old considers the British Isles an ideal environment to showcase his abilities on the pitch.
“Anfield's interest takes on an undeniable institutional logic after the traumatic departure of Colombian Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich, a significant loss that forces the Reds ' management to look for a fast winger with enough long-term potential to inherit the Merseyside flank.”
No decision is expected on Williams’ future until AFTER the World Cup has concluded. Last summer he secured a bumper new contract which stunned the world - running until 2035. As part of the deal it’s believed there’s a clause set at €95m for his exit.
Williams had a difficult season for Athletic during 2025/26 owing to injury and finished with six goals and three assists from 20 starts in La Liga.
Fellow Athletic Club graduate Andoni Iraola would no doubt relish linking up with a talented player from the same footballing school.
