Inaki Williams recalls past Liverpool approach

 

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has revealed that he once had the option of joining Liverpool  but he made it “clear” where his future lay.

The Reds’ front line has caught the eye ever since Jurgen Klopp took over as manager in 2015. Sadio Mane, his first big signing, left as a club legend after 120 goals in six seasons.

Meanwhile, 2017 addition Mohamed Salah has also etched his name into Liverpool folklore.

More recently, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz arrived at Anfield looking to follow in their team-mates’ footsteps. And summer signing Darwin Nunez, who cost an initial £64million, is also looking to prove himself.

However, reports in the past have talked of Liverpool interest in a range of other targets. As for La Liga, Bilbao star Williams has been on their radar. The Reds supposedly had their eyes on him in 2021 as a replacement for Mane.

Before then, AS claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were willing to pay Williams’ previous €88million (£77million) release clause in 2019.

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Speaking to AS in a fresh interview, Ghana international Williams opened up on the chance to move to Anfield.

“I had an option to leave,” the 28-year-old said. “There were contacts in which I kept my position clear.

“It’s nice that clubs like this try to get you, but I was always clear that I want to be at Athletic.”

It remains unclear when exactly Liverpool tried to snap Williams up, with the Bilbao-born star admitting in 2019 that Manchester United tried to sign him that summer.

The Premier League interest in Williams reportedly reached a peak in 2019 after he scored 13 La Liga goals and assisted five others.

Overall, he has played 346 games for Bilbao, scoring 77 goals and assisting 49 others.

His release clause also increased to €135million (£120million).