When Liverpool could complete Nico Williams transfer as Arne Slot gives 'green light'

Liverpool has yet to complete its first transfer of the summer. While the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton look to deal among themselves, potentially to adhere to profit and sustainability rules in the Premier League, the Reds have kept their powder dry.

The club’s cause is not helped by the twin international tournaments currently taking place. A lot of the players on Liverpool’s radar are likely to be at either the Copa America or European Championship at present.

That’s the case for Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams - it has been reported by CaughtOffside that new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has approved a potential transfer move. But Williams is not interested in agreeing any deal until after Euro 2024, so when might his interest in the tournament end?

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There is no guarantee that the 21-year-old is even looking to move this summer. "I’m very happy at Athletic [Club, Bilbao],” Williams said recently (via Liverpool World). "It’s the club that has given me everything, the one that has bet on me 100 per cent. It’s my home. I’m very happy,” he added.

"And what I want to do is focus on the European Championship 100 per cent. Otherwise, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have told my agent that I don’t want to know anything until the end of the European Championship."

Wins against Croatia and Italy have ensured that Spain will top Group B, no matter what happens in its next match against Albania. This means Williams will be involved in a Round of 16 match in Cologne on June 30. The opponent is not yet confirmed but as it will be a third-placed team, it’s reasonable to assume the Spanish will advance to the quarter-final.

That match takes place on July 5 in Stuttgart, against either the winner of Group A (very likely host nation Germany) or the runner-up from Group C (probably Denmark). By this point there will only be just over a week of the tournament remaining, so Spain’s success hereafter won’t have a huge impact on Liverpool or Williams’ plans.

But as his country are now fourth-favorite with the bookmakers to win Euro 2024, Spain is expected to reach the first semi-final in Munich. It takes place on July 9 and while it’s hard to predict who it will be against, the odds imply it will likely be an Iberian derby against Diogo Jota and Portugal.

Its one step from there to the final in Berlin on July 14. It will be between Spain and England according to the bookies, who presumably haven’t bothered watching the Three Lions’ soul-sapping performances in the last two games. As things stand, Williams looks likely to be pre-occupied for a good while longer, and may even have added ‘European champion’ to his CV by the time Liverpool might be able to complete a deal.

Liverpool.com says: Richard Hughes will have known long ago that his first summer at Liverpool would not be straightforward, thanks to the twin international tournaments occurring. It is encouraging that Slot and the club are reportedly on the same page regarding Williams but it seems very unlikely that a transfer will be completed any time soon.