Liverpool have completed another transfer for Andoni Iraola and are closing in on a deal for £145million-rated Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola
Andoni Iraola has another Liverpool signing in the bag as he looks to revamp the Reds’ squad ahead of the new season.
The former Bournemouth boss wants to get England’s most decorated football club back to the top after a disappointing campaign that saw the then-reigning Premier League champions slump to fifth in the table and led to former manager Arne Slot losing his job – just 12 months after lifting the title.
So far, Liverpool have signed French defender Jeremy Jacquet for £60m from Rennes and Spanish winger Victor Munoz for £34.5m from Osasuna and now a third man has arrived, with the spotlight also firmly on a player who could become the fourth new acquisition of the summer transfer window. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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Signing completed
Liverpool have officially announced the arrival of Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona – with a £47m option to buy.
Liverpool are set to cover all of the Uruguay international’s wages as the former Barcelona captain provides experienced cover at both centre-back and right-back.
That is a huge plus for Iraola due to his depleted options at centre-back. Joe Gomez is expected to be sidelined until late August at the earliest and new £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury at Rennes in February.
Right-back Conor Bradley is still a considerable way off returning following a serious and season-ending knee injury at Arsenal in January.
And with young centre-back Giovanni Leoni also several weeks away from making a comeback after his own ACL injury last September, Araujo could be set for a Liverpool debut in the season opener away against Newcastle United on August 23.
Araujo, 27, has spent the previous eight years at Barcelona after joining from Uruguayan club Boston River.
He has made more than 200 appearances for the Catalan giants but fell down the pecking order under Hansi Flick, having suffered from mental health issues last campaign.
Bradley Barcola gives transfer the green light
Paris Saint-Germain’s French winger Bradley Barcola has reportedly given the green light to a switch to Liverpool after reaching agreement on personal terms, reports the Mirror.
Fabrizio Romano suggests the two clubs are engaged in “direct, official conversation” with the Ligue 1 outfit’s £145million asking price remaining firm.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the football transfers reporter claimed the two clubs are holding ‘daily talks’.
And while they have yet to reach accord on financial terms, PSG’s potential swoop for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres could pave the way for Barcola’s move to Liverpool.
The Reds have been connected with a host of other wide options, including fellow PSG star Ibrahim Mbaye, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Bournemouth’s Rayan.
Barcola, 23, has bagged 39 goals and 25 assists in 152 games in all competitions for reigning back-to-back Champions League winners PSG.
Key star returns to Anfield
Alexis Mac Allister has made his way back to the AXA Training Centre following his post-World Cup break.
The Argentina international endured a 1-0 final defeat to Spain in extra-time after featuring in crucial victories alongside Lionel Messi and co en route to the showpiece of international football.
Mac Allister, 27, could be spotted in footage shared by the club on social media greeting his team-mates upon his return, including Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.
He took his place at the table next to Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and Alisson sporting what is believed to be a new hair transplant.
Now, attention will turn to getting Liverpool back on course as Iraola’s maiden season in charge at Anfield is poised to commence.