Report: Liverpool and Man City want £76m winger but they're not "his first option"

Liverpool and Manchester City are two of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams but joining Real Madrid would be "his first option."

While the Reds can enter talks with his agents in January without fear of backlash from Bilbao, it may be a pointless endeavour if Real Madrid are his favourites.

Los Blancos are also interested in signing Williams, according to Spanish publication AS, and so too were Barcelona, however, report cites the Catalonians' "delicate economic situation" as reason for why they will not sign him.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are the clubs keen from the Premier League but the reports claims Williams' priority would be to continue in Spain" while "his first option would always be to" join Real Madrid.

His release clause is reportedly set at €50 million (£43m) but it doesn't seem likely that Liverpool will be the ones to trigger it.

Jurgen Klopp isn't in dire need of new forwards with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz to choose from.

So far this season, the five attackers have scored 35 goals collectively and have been fundamental in the Premier League position Liverpool are in.

With a trip to Manchester City after the international break, Klopp will need his forwards in top form.

For now, Liverpool need to concentrate on signing a new defensive midfielder in January with the Merseysiders reportedly the "best placed" to sign Andre from Fluminense despite interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.