Manchester United are reportedly prepared to meet the €88 million release clause to sign Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams on deadline day.

According to El Chiringuito TV, as quoted by Daily Mail, Manchester United are preparing a deadline day move for Inaki Williams. The Red Devils are prepared to meet the Spaniard’s €88 million release clause in order to prise him away from Athletic Bilbao.

Inaki Williams was always hyped to be one of the elite stars. But, the 25-year-old has failed to live up to the standards, despite being continuously linked to top European clubs. Even now, apart from Manchester United, Champions League winners Liverpool are also credited with interest in the Spaniard.

Part of the deadline day chase at Manchester United? (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
Part of the deadline day chase at Manchester United? (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

The 25-year-old though, had a more than decent campaign for Athletic Bilbao in 2018-19, scoring 13 goals in La Liga itself. Inaki was a constant feature in the starting eleven in the league, making 38 appearances in La Liga. The 2018-19 campaign was his most prolific to date.

There is a catch, however, in the fact that almost all of his appearances came in the centre-forward position, which infers that the return tally was not as impressive. But, his versatility could come in handy for Manchester United, which is why the Red Devils seem interested in the 25-year-old.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems to prefer a 4-2-3-1 with an interchangeable frontline. Marcus Rashford, Daniel James, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and even Alexis Sanchez can play all across the front four. Romelu Lukaku couldn’t and is being tipped to leave the club for Inter Milan.

While Inaki Williams is predominantly a forward, he is equally effective on either flanks and could thus, be an ideal resolution for the right wing problems United have been facing. Also, Inaki’s blistering pace will aid Solskjaer’s counter attacking tactics, glimpses of which were already evident in the pre-season.

Wilfried Zaha would be a much better option than Inaki Williams. (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
Wilfried Zaha would be a much better option than Inaki Williams. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

€88 million though, is a very steep amount and begs the question that if Manchester United were to splash so much cash, wouldn’t they have preferred to bring in a more prolific and in-form Nicolas Pepe, who cost Arsenal less. Alternatively, they could use the cash to sign Wilfried Zaha, who has handed in a transfer request at Crystal Palace.

Zaha would solve the right wing problems as well and is more of a natural on the right. Also, Zaha has shown he can cut it as a centre-forward during the 2018-19 season at Selhurst Park and thus, could also support the interchangeability of the front four that Solskjaer is going with.

Zaha has Premier League experience and has already had a stint at Manchester United. The Ivorian will not take much time to settle and will be eager to prove himself at a club he did not excel at during his time there.

These are desperate times for Manchester United and desperate times call for desperate bids. But, the Red Devils have done well to bring in players who wanted to play for the club and it would be unwise to rush into any deal at this point of time. We do not expect Inaki Williams to be a Red Devil by the end of the British transfer deadline today.

But, the deadline day often sees crazy deals pushed through and the 25-year-old could be one this window.

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