Liverpool information: Andoni Iraola receives £80m switch signing backing as three gamers to affix squad
Liverpool are working patiently in the transfer market so far this year with Andoni Iraola looking to build his squad following the exit of three key players
Andoni Iraola is spearheading a new era at Liverpool(Image: Getty)
The clock is ticking with Liverpool to face Newcastle in their Premier League opener on August 23 and the Reds are set to ramp up their moves in the transfer market.
Victor Munoz remains the club’s sole signing after his £34.5 million switch from Spanish outfit Osasuna. The departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate mean Liverpool require not just additional bodies but seasoned campaigners too.
Today’s developments see Iraola deliver supporters a welcome lift with a squad update. Meanwhile, the Reds have been tipped to table a sensational offer for a Premier League ace. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Liverpool transfer news.
Iraola confirms three-player update
Andoni Iraola has spoken out on returning players(Image: Nikki Dyer, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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The Reds’ manager has revealed that Victor Munoz, Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister will link up with his squad over the next few weeks.
The trio have been granted additional rest following their World Cup commitments, with Munoz and Mac Allister both making it to the tournament’s final with Spain and Argentina respectively. Munoz and Alisson are expected to return to training this week once the Reds touch down in England following their pre-season tour of the USA.
On Munoz, Iraola told the club’s official website on Saturday: “Yes, he comes next week. We spoke to him and he wanted also to come a little bit earlier than the three weeks that they have the right to have, because obviously he is coming to a new club, he will need some time to adapt, to meet his teammates. We will have him next week as soon as we arrive there, basically. It’s good news.”
Iraola added: “Yes, Alisson will be there from the first day. He was arriving to AXA a little bit later than Cody [Gakpo] and Virgil [van Dijk]. But he will be [there] since the first day that we arrive and will start training there in Liverpool.
Discussing Mac Allister’s comeback, the Basque manager revealed the midfielder will return around August 9, when Liverpool face Monaco in a pre-season clash.. He said: “Alexis will have, I think, until the Monaco game. I think deserved holidays for him; long season, long World Cup, played until the final, has played a lot of minutes. I hope he comes fully recovered and he enjoys also the break that he definitely has earned.”
Club legend endorses pursuit of £80m star
Liverpool have been told to move for Alex Scott(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
Former Liverpool favourite Vladimir Smicer has urged Liverpool to pursue Bournemouth’s £80m-rated midfielder Alex Scott. The 22-year-old has been linked with a switch to Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, who have already seen a bid of approximately £65m rejected for the player.
Smicer, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, reckons Iraola’s connection with Scott, with the Basque having previously managed Scott on the South Coast, could help secure a transfer should Liverpool pursue the player.
“I think you can expect Andoni Iraola would like to take Alex Scott because he knows what he can do,” Smicer said, via Casinostugan.
“To be honest, in midfield we need a bit more spark with people who are fighting but are clever going forward, turning quickly with the ball and finding strikers. Of course, we expect a lot from (Florian) Wirtz to do this. But Andoni Iraola knows Alex Scott. If the price is right and he sees the possibility to strengthen the team, why not?”.
“Curtis Jones is linked with a few moves, and if he leaves, we need midfield press. We don’t know what’s happening with (Alexis) Mac Allister, he had a bit of a weak season and was not at the same level.
“(Ryan) Gravenberch had a good start, but then it was not the best. Only (Dominik) Szoboszlai was a top player in midfield for the whole season.
“In midfield you need competition, and Scott can be a great asset because he’s only twenty-two and is playing regularly for the England youth teams. He’s a good prospect and a local guy from the UK.
“These things are important. I don’t know if he would love to play for Liverpool, but not many players would turn them down.
“He’s got a good chance now because Andoni Iraola is the new manager. If he likes him, I think we can find the money.”
