Liverpool transfer approach confirmed by Ghana star Inaki Williams

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Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has confirmed he rejected the chance to join Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp in a mega-money transfer. The 28-year-old forward has been courted by a number of Premier League sides over the years but a move has never quite materialised for one reason or another.

Instead, Williams has become a staple in Spain’s top-flight and the winger holds the record for most consecutive appearances in La Liga (239).

However, that record was previously placed under threat when Williams is said to have received a blockbuster offer from Liverpool.

Speaking in an interview with AS, the Ghana international confirmed the Reds made an attempt to bring him to Anfield.

“I had an option to leave,” the jet-heeled attacker said. “There were contacts in which I kept my position clear.

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

Williams has always been clear that he wants to stay in the Basque Country, where he has cemented his legacy as an Athletic Bilbao icon.

That said, he has outlined his interest in moving to the Premier League one day, paying tribute to the passion of England supporters.

He said: “A lot, because of how they live football and interpret it. It’s very attractive.”

It’s unclear exactly when Liverpool moved for Inaki, although there was talk within the Spanish media he was deemed capable of replacing Sadio Mane.

Back in 2019, it was reported that Liverpool were prepared to pay Williams’ £77million release clause.

Manchester United are also understood to have shown strong interest in signing Williams that very summer.

Just a matter of months later, Williams would pen a new long-term deal with Athletic Club that saw his release clause increase to a whopping £125m.

The versatile forward was first capped by Spain back in 2016 before featuring twice for the Basque Country national team side.

In July, Williams declared he would be willing to switch international allegiances ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Now he looks in line to represent the Black Stars at the tournament after being called up to the Ghana squad for friendlies with Brazil and Nicaragua.

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