New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has wasted no time in getting to work in the transfer market. The Spaniard succeeded Arne Slot in the dugout following the Dutchman’s sacking and, after finishing fifth in the Premier League, the consensus is that reinforcements are required on Merseyside.
Iraola signed a contract that runs until the 2027/28 season, a practice that has become commonplace for the coach who began his coaching career with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Even if it is a short deal, Iraola will have his sets firmly set on following Jurgen Klopp in establishing himself as a Kop icon, although he has his work cut out for him.
The Reds spent over £450 million in a bid to defend their title last summer, including marquee signings such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez bolstered their options at full-back, but Liverpool struggled to replicate the same form that helped them claim the Premier League title in 2024/25.
Despite a disappointing season overall, Slot did manage to guide them to Champions League qualification. With Iraola at the helm, the 46-year-old is taking the club into a new era and he may look to familiar figures to give him the best chance of making his tenure a success.
Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the biggest stories involving the Reds over the past 24 hours.
One of the emerging names thought to be on Iraola’s shortlist is Bournemouth star Alex Scott, who has thrived under his management. Earlier this week, talkSPORT reported that there were links between Liverpool and the 23-year-old, with ‘noise growing’ around his future.
Chelsea and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the highly-rated midfielder. The Cherries are reluctant to sell, however, and have slapped a huge £80 million price tag above his head in an attempt to ward off interest.
The South Coast outfit have made a habit of selling their young stars for large profit, including Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo. Scott could be the next big name to head for pastures new as he looks to break into Thomas Tuchel’s England setup.
View 3 ImagesAlex Scott of Bournemouth is a reported target for Liverpool(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Iraola is a big fan of the box-to-box midfielder and that feeling appears to be mutual. When quizzed about Iraola’s appointment last week, Scott said: “I think the way we press out of possession is very aggressive, maybe similar to the early Klopp teams Liverpool had, that fierce aggressiveness and pressing with the wingers. I would say he is similar to that. Liverpool fans should definitely be so excited.”
It remains to be seen whether Bournemouth’s £80m demand puts Scott out of Liverpool’s price range, although relations between the two clubs are thought to be at a decent level. Sporting director Richard Hughes previously worked at the Vitality Stadium before joining Liverpool and was instrumental in the capture of Iraola as well as Kerkez last summer.
Liverpool are not stressed about the sudden need for a replacement this summer following Ibrahima Konate’s exit. It’s thought that the Reds might review their centre-back options during the window but with so many other areas to address, young duo Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet have been talked up privately.
Another ace up their sleeve is the clause inserted into Jarell Quansah’s deal when he was sold to Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old has excelled in his first season in the Bundesliga and was included in Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for the World Cup.
View 3 ImagesJarell Quansah moved from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
Liverpool maintain the option to buy Quansah back for £55m this summer as part of the agreement to sell him, which would mean taking a £20m hit on the fee they received 12 months ago. But given his homegrown status and affection from the fanbase, it may be an avenue that Iraola and Liverpool explore towards the end of the window.
Quansah revealed in April that his choice to move was based on first-team football opportunities, which could open the door to a return if Liverpool can guarantee playing time. “To be honest, I wouldn’t say it was the hardest decision because I just wanted to play,” he said.
“I felt like I could play at the top level, the Bundesliga’s a top league and being able to play in the Champions League and play top games. I think you just have maybe a gut feeling. Sometimes you can’t think about it too much and listen to too many people to be honest, because you can listen to a few things and get persuaded.”
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The Liverpool Echo report that the England centre-half has ‘already agreed personal terms’ on an Anfield contract, should the Reds decide to exercise their option. That certainly takes the weight off Liverpool’s recruitment staff, knowing they can push through a deal in the coming weeks if they require further depth at the back.
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