Relegation struggles could lead to renewed Liverpool interest in Inaki Williams

By Sam Leveridge

Liverpool will be monitoring the La Liga relegation battle closely as former target Inaki Williams is caught up in a scrap with Athletic Bilbao, who are currently just one point clear of the relegation zone, though Villarreal below them have a game in hand.

In 2017, Tuttomercatoweb claimed that the Reds were considering a move for the winger as a potential replacement for Philippe Coutinho, though a bid never materialised.

Just under a year ago, he put pen to paper on a new contract until 2025, which AS claim includes a release clause set at €70 million (£63 million). Such a fee is high, but may not be so high as to put off the Reds.

Inaki Williams of Athletic club de Bilbao during spanish La Liga match between Levante UD vs Athletic club de Bilbao at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on December 3, 2018. (Photo by Jose Miguel Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Relegation may even force the club into accepting a lower offer, though given the length of the contract it is clear that the Basque club hold all of the negotiating power.

Williams, whose agent belongs to the same agency as Liverpool loanee Danny Ings, has been acting as a leading striker for his team this season, scoring six goals in 19 games to date.

The 24-year-old has undoubted potential and his direct style and pace would undoubtedly fit in well in the attacking line-up at Anfield, so it may not be a shock if the Reds are sniffing around should Athletic Bilbao be relegated for the first time in their history.