Liverpool transfer news as Nico Williams makes 'future' admission amid Adrien Rabiot deadline

Liverpool may have missed out on a number of transfer targets this summer - but the Reds could well be in the market once more by the time January rolls around.

Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa have been welcome additions to Arne Slot's squad in the final week of August, even if the former won't join until next summer, but there is still room for more as the Reds aim to solve their defense and midfield issues.

A new center-back remains firmly on the agenda but so does a holding midfielder, which have to be two priorities heading into January and beyond. However, that's not to say more attacking options are being considered amid concerns Mohamed Salah will not extend his stay beyond this season.

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One name who was strongly linked with a move at the beginning of the summer was Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who was the subject of transfer interest from a number of clubs before he opted to remain with the La Liga outfit .

Having performed admirably for his nation at Euro 2024 and helping them lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy, Williams was in high-demand. However, since staying in the Basque Country, the 22-year-old has now spoken out on his future.

Speaking to DAZN, he said: “My heart is Bilbao, but nobody knows what will happen in the future. It's always good when big teams want you. But I always said that I wanted to be here. If there was anything, it was from my agent. But I wanted to play in Europe with Bilbao.”

One piece of potentially good news is that Liverpool can still make a signing despite the end of the summer transfer window. French midfielder Adrien Rabiot remains a free agent and has been linked with the Reds on numerous occasions in recent years.

The 29-year-old, who left Juventus following the expiration of his contract at the end of last season, remains an ideal option for any club looking to do some extra business - although they'll have to be quick.

If Liverpool wish to pick up the Frenchman to bolster its midfield options, then it has until Friday, September 13 to do so, which is when the deadline is for registering out-of-contract players who have yet to find themselves a new club.

Elsewhere, and perhaps worryingly for Liverpool, it's claimed that Barcelona and Real Madrid will go head-to-head for the Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer.

That's according to fresh reports in Spain, as per Football365 , which claim that the La Liga giants "are fighting over" Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer ahead of next summer and "both have started to move to secure the Englishman".

It's also added that both clubs have already begun to establish contact with the player’s entourage, "who would not be against a change of scenery after a decade at Anfield ".