3 Oct 2016

'The Panther' to Anfield? Liverpool keen to sign 'explosive' £38m striker. Replace Sturridge?

In January, The Guardian claimed that Liverpool were interested in signing Athletic Bilbao star Iñaki Williams, and new reports this week suggest that Jurgen Klopp is set to renew interest in the £38m attacker.

According to Spanish newspaper Don Balon:

"Liverpool are interested in signing Inaki Williams. Everton, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid are also following the striker".

Some info about 22-year old Williams, who is nicknamed 'La Pantera' (The Panther):

* Right winger, who can also play on the left, or as a striker. Plays as a centre-forward for Spain's U21 side. Current deal expires: 2021.

* Fastest player in La Liga. Broke the record last season after recording a speed of 22.2 MPH during a 1-1 draw with Deportivo.

* 16 goals/8 assists (24) in 70 games for Bilbao (1 every 199 minutes). This season: 0 goals/1 assist 8 games.

* Ex-Red Mikel San Jose's assessment: "His [Williams'] performances are very good. We knew about his potential but we didn't expect him to perform so well so soon".

* Feb 2015: Became Bilbao's first black goalscorer in the club's 117-year history.

* Nov 2015: Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde raved: "He [Williams] came as striker, but he can play as winger. He has self-confidence, can score a goal, and is very explosive. He will be a great player."

Perhaps Klopp sees Williams as a potential replacement for Daniel Sturridge? He has all the attributes required of a (potentially) top-class striker: tall, strong, fast, skillful etc. Then again, the same description applies to Divock Origi, and he is a long way off being prolific enough to replace Sturridge.

In any event, Williams' creative return is merely average, and nowhere near worth £38m.


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