Liverpool Transfer News: Inaki Williams Reports Amid Borussia Dortmund Rumours

Liverpool remain interested in securing the services of Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams but face competition from Borussia Dortmund, according to Marca's Thursday edition (via Sport Witness).

The 22-year-old, who has two goals and five assists in 20 La Liga appearances this season, has a release clause of €50 million (£42.8 million), and Jurgen Klopp is already compiling information on the forward ahead of a summer move. The German "has reports on his table" regarding Williams' progress, per Sport Witness.

However, Dortmund are favourites for his signature and are ready to trigger discussions by matching the buyout figure—although the deal would depend upon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moving on, according to Marca.

Aubameyang admitted that his future lies away from Dortmund in a recent interview with RMC, declaring "if I want to go to the next level, I need to leave in the summer," per Metro.

Michael Probst/Associated Press

He is most likely on his way to Real Madrid, which he described as a "dream" move in the RMC interview, although Manchester City's Pep Guardiola is also keeping tabs on Aubameyang, per Neil Fissler of the Daily Express. Liverpool, then, can expect a tough battle for Williams' signature.

It is unsurprising to hear that Liverpool are in search of a quick, nimble-footed striker given the difficulties Klopp has had with Daniel Sturridge this season. The England striker has only managed to score two league goals for the club in 2016-17, while Liverpool have looked flat in the final third since Sadio Mane left for the Africa Cup of Nations on Jan. 11, as highlighted by UniBet on Twitter:

Reinforcements should be a priority if the club are to challenge for the title next season.

But Williams would be a particularly expensive, and high-risk, option. Athletic will not accept anything less than €50 million for a player who has only scored 11 goals in 63 La Liga appearances for his club, per Sport Witness. If Liverpool were to meet the valuation, it would be a new club record, surpassing the £36 million paid for Mane on Jun. 28.

Liverpool have been linked with a host of young wingers in recent weeks. Julian Brandt is Klopp's priority, while Dortmund's Christian Pulisic remains high on the agenda, according to Joe Rimmer for the Liverpool Echo. Neither player is likely to cost significantly less than the €50 million touted for Williams.

"

Liverpool did go for players this month and the names we know - Christian Pulisic, Julian Brandt and Julian Draxler. #lfc (Paul Joyce)

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) January 26, 2017"

It looks as though Dortmund and Liverpool will be intertwined this summer when it comes to transfer dealings. Aubameyang's potential move will likely hand the Germans an advantage in their pursuit of Williams, but signing the 22-year-old may also push Pulisic down the Black and Yellows' pecking order and make a switch to Anfield more likely.