Arne Slot has authorized Richard Hughes to pursue the signing of a €42.2m powerhouse who impressed against Italy…

Arne Slot has authorized Richard Hughes to pursue the signing of a €42.2m powerhouse who impressed against Italy.

Arne Slot has given Richard Hughes the green light to complete the signing of a prodigious player, who wreaked havoc on Italy, for an astonishing £42.2 million Euros.

Liverpool’s interest in Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is still ongoing.

Insiders close to CaughtOffside have revealed that Arne Slot, who will take over from Jurgen Klopp, admires the skills of the 21-year-old.

The Dutch manager has given the green light for a potential transfer deal for the La Liga talent.

Nevertheless, Liverpool may face tough competition as Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are also reportedly interested in the Spanish winger.

What is the estimated cost of acquiring Nico Williams?

Acquiring Nico Williams will involve a significant fee. The player currently has a release clause of €50m [£42.2m], and his current contract is set to expire in June 2027.

According to our sources at CaughtOffside, Liverpool intends to assess the forward’s situation. However, they are fully aware that completing this transfer will pose a challenge for the restructured recruitment team.

Williams has been performing exceptionally well in the 2024 European Championship, making a significant impact in Germany.

In his most recent game, he was awarded UEFA’s Player of the Match for his outstanding performance against Italy, where he caused trouble for their defense in a 1-0 victory.

With impressive stats including 60 touches, a 93% pass accuracy rate, four key passes, and one big chance created, Williams has been a standout player according to Sofascore.

Considering his current position on the left for both club and country, it raises the question of where Nico Williams could potentially fit in Arne Slot’s Liverpool team.

Given his success as a right-footed winger, it seems likely that Slot will continue to utilize him on the left to maintain the team’s balance and effectiveness on the field.

With that being said, the 21-year-old is capable of providing his services on the right side if needed.

The Reds appear content with Luis Diaz on the left, but there are uncertainties surrounding Cody Gakpo’s future in a comparable role for the Netherlands.

Arne Slot faces a plethora of decisions in this fresh Liverpool era.