Liverpool transfer news as Joshua Kimmich 'talks' ready amid Nico Williams decision

Liverpool fans are still waiting for their club to dip into the transfer market this summer, although speculation is building with pre-season just around the corner .

Arne Slot is set to welcome his first group of players back to training this week as preparations for his first season as head coach get underway. The Reds’ internationals will be back at a later date, and they will hopefully be joined by some new faces.

There has been no shortage of names being linked, and work has clearly been undertaken behind the scenes, with talks over a possible transfer for Anthony Gordon breaking down last week .

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Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, including the latest on Nico Williams and Joshua Kimmich.

Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Liverpool is prepared to pay Nico Williams' release clause in full this summer, believed to be in the region of $57m (£45m/€53m), according to reports in Spain (via the Express ).

The Athletic Bilbao star though is said to want wages of around $381k (£300k/€354k) a week, which put him just behind Mohamed Salah in Liverpool's top earners.

Salah's future remains up in the air, with the Egyptian entering the final year of his contract amid links with Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool.com says: It would be quite the leap if Liverpool were to offer those sorts of wages to a new signing. It probably wouldn’t send a great message either as the Reds try to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk to new contracts.

In any case, does Liverpool really need a new left winger? Cody Gakpo has looked sensational this summer , and it’s clear that is his best position.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Liverpool is ready to open talks with Joshua Kimmich, according to CaughtOffside . They aren’t the only club set to speak with the German international though, with Manchester United also prepared for negotiations, while Manchester City could enter the race as well.

The Reds are said to be prioritizing the 29-year-old due to Juventus leading the race for Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners. Real Madrid though is also said to be an option for Kimmich.

Liverpool.com says: If Kimmich is going to be available, it is an option that is worth exploring for Liverpool. He doesn’t quite solve the issue of having a long-term option in defensive midfield though, given he is only two years younger than Wataru Endo.

Still, if Liverpool has designs on Stefan Bajcetic being the long-term solution there, Kimmich could be worth a go, even if he is a short-term option.