The appointment of Andoni Iraola has already set tongues wagging about potential transfer targets, and one name keeps cropping up with increasing frequency.

Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao's electric winger, could find himself on Liverpool's radar thanks to his connection with our new head coach. The Spanish forward committed his future to the Basque club last summer with a contract running until 2035, complete with a release clause sitting around £77m.

But former Barcelona and Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta reckons Iraola's arrival at Anfield changes the dynamic entirely. The ex-Spain international sees a clear path for Williams to make the switch to Merseyside, potentially as Mohamed Salah's long-term replacement.

"There will definitely be interest in Nico Williams and Andoni Iraola might be able to convince him to join Liverpool," Mendieta told Grosvenor Sport. "There were rumours about him potentially joining Barcelona last year."

The timing couldn't be more intriguing. Williams has endured a challenging season hampered by injuries, but Mendieta believes a strong World Cup showing could reignite transfer speculation. "Unfortunately, he's had a difficult season with a few injuries, but if he performs well at the World Cup, the rumours will likely start again," he explained.

What makes this potential move particularly fascinating is Williams' versatility. Mendieta rates him highly across the front line, noting: "He is a great, versatile player, I prefer him on the left, but he can play on both sides."

The crucial element here is the Iraola connection. "Of course, Andoni Iraola knows him very well," Mendieta added. "There will certainly be interest if, as we hope, the World Cup goes well for him and for Spain. It would be exciting for Liverpool fans that's for sure."

Iraola's appointment last week on a two-year contract came after he transformed Bournemouth from relegation candidates into European contenders. The 43-year-old guided the Cherries to 12th, ninth and sixth-placed finishes in successive Premier League campaigns, earning widespread praise for his attractive, high-energy attacking football.

Mendieta believes this Premier League experience gives Iraola a significant advantage over other potential appointments. "Andoni Iraola is a great fit for Liverpool thanks to his style, but also because Iraola has already been in the Premier League," he explained.

"The players have already seen the style of football he plays on a weekly basis, and they have seen what it's all about. With Xabi Alonso, players would've seen him at Leverkusen, but I'm sure none of them watch Madrid or Leverkusen in every single match."

The Spanish connection runs deeper than just tactical familiarity. Iraola's surprise departure from Bournemouth raised eyebrows, coming after a successful season that secured European qualification. "It was also a surprise how he announced he was leaving, but there was not really anything lined up. Maybe he knew something we didn't, but it was after a successful season and getting into Europe, he decided to leave," Mendieta observed.

For Liverpool supporters, the prospect of landing a player of Williams' calibre represents exactly the kind of ambitious thinking required in the modern transfer market. At £77m, he wouldn't come cheap, but his age profile and versatility make him an intriguing long-term investment.

The question now is whether Iraola's inside knowledge and Liverpool's pull can convince Williams that his future lies at Anfield rather than San Mames. With the World Cup approaching and transfer speculation set to intensify, this could be one connection worth watching closely.