Liverpool are still yet to do any business in the transfer market as we head into July.
By this stage of the summer, supporters would usually have expected at least one signing to be done or on the verge of being completed.
However, with Arne Slot brand new in the building and two summer international tournaments muddying the waters, Liverpool have kept their powder dry so far.
That will hopefully change over the coming weeks, as the Liverpool owners loosen the purse-strings.
There are one or two key areas of the Liverpool squad that Slot is reportedly looking to make an addition in. Excitingly, one is set to be the forward line.
Liverpool looking at ‘value’ Nico Williams signing
Part of the problem of trying to sign players during an international tournament is that prices can start to sky-rocket.
If you’re looking at players who are involved for their countries and they do well, you can end up being priced out. Liverpool will be desperate to avoid that.
One way of making sure this does not effect you is by going after players with release clauses woven into their contracts.
This is something Liverpool have done effectively in the past. Dominik Szoboszlai, for example, was signed for a set fee last summer.
READ MORE: Why Nico Williams should now be Liverpool’s top target at Euro 2024
And according to journalist Ben Jacobs, it could well be a tool Slot uses during his first transfer window with the Reds.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Nico Williams over the past few days. And taking to X on Saturday, Jacobs reiterated the interest from Anfield. However, the journalist claims that while Williams’ release clause is seen as ‘good value,’ his wages are not.
“Situation with Nico Williams remains the same,” he says. “His release clause, understood to be over just over £45m, is viewed as good value by potential suitors. However, total cost, including high wages, makes a deal difficult.
“Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all looked at Williams. He’s been excellent at Euro 2024, but may still need to lower his wage if a move is to happen.”
How much Nico Williams currently earns
It seems strange to think that a 21-year-old playing for – with the greatest of respect to Athletic who are a brilliant club – the sixth best side in Spain, could be pricing himself out of a move to a top Premier League side.
However, it needs to be factored in that Athletic do not have much need for transfer fees. Their ‘Cantera’ policy means only players with Basque heritage can play for the club.
As a result, they are not all that active in the transfer market. And this means that they can put that money saved into player wages instead.
According to AiScore, Williams’ current wage is around £170k-per-week. It isn’t hard to see why this would put teams like Liverpool off. Williams will, fairly, be expecting a pay rise with a move.
There’s an argument that suggests the Reds would be wise to pay it. Williams has been described as a ‘scary’ attacker and his value could soar over the coming years.
Liverpool need to weigh up whether the relatively low transfer fee balances out the overall cost. Let’s wait and see.