Liverpool Transfer News: Inaki Williams Monitored, Shane Long Rumours Emerge

Liverpool are keeping tabs on the progress of Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams amid rumours the club will trigger his €20 million (£15.3 million) release clause. Southampton's Shane Long is also being eyed.

According to the Guardian's Ed Aarons, the Reds are monitoring Williams' situation but could face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press/Associated Press

Real and Atletico will be considered particularly tough customers to beat this month, and Aarons hinted both La Liga giants may look to recruit heavily after being handed two-window transfer bans for signing underage players.

Athletic academy product Williams—who plays on the wings for Athletic's first team—is enjoying a breakout campaign after netting 10 goals across all competitions, the youngest player to do so in Europe this season, according to OptaJose:

The 21-year-old is second only to Aritz Aduriz (10) in Los Leones' La Liga scoring ranks, having netted six times in league competition, along with two in the Europa League and another two in the Copa del Rey.

In contrast, Williams bagged just three goals for Athletic's first team last season, and ESPN FC's Nayib Moran has tipped the Spain under-21 international to achieve big things:

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly eager to improve his options in attack after seeing his side struggle for scoring consistency. The Reds' 3-3 draw against Arsenal on Wednesday was just the fourth time Liverpool have netted three goals or more in 21 games under the German boss.

What's more, the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel recently reported Klopp "isn't convinced" by £32 million signing Christian Benteke, who was brought to Anfield by his predecessor, Brendan Rodgers. However, Aarons added Athletic are trying to sign Williams to a new deal, complete with a €100 million (£76.3 million) release clause.

Another option for the Merseyside giants this month is Southampton frontman Long, who could provide cover for Danny Ings—out for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament—and the injury-plagued Daniel Sturridge.

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

That's according to the Irish Daily Star, which suggested Republic of Ireland international Long could follow in the footsteps of countryman Robbie Keane by moving to Anfield (h/t Irish Independent's Tom Rooney).

Liverpool and Southampton have been repeatedly tied together in the transfer market over recent years, with Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert all moving to Merseyside from the south coast in 2014.

The Saints may not be keen on the idea of selling another star to the Reds, however, and manager Ronald Koeman heaped praise on his poacher after Long scored twice in the 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Arsenal, per the Irish Independent's Daniel McDonnell:

"

We know the qualities of Shane. He is a different attacker to Graziano. Everybody needs to improve. Shane was one of the key players to win this game. He creates a big problem for defenders because he has a very good offensive movement and is very dangerous.

In the second half, the long balls in behind the defenders was the game-plan for Shane. He does so much running that he can cause every team problems.

"

Endless running is a trait that will undoubtedly fit in well with the tactics of Klopp, who values the ability to press high up the pitch and those who add energy to the side.

According to Transfermarkt, Long has scored 38 goals in 191 Premier League appearances for Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Southampton, and the 28-year-old may be open to another switch of surroundings this winter.