Liverpool are eyeing a long-term Mohamed Salah successor with a £130m release clause, while Andoni Iraola has given an update on Bradley Barcola’s injury
Liverpool could capitalise on a huge transfer opportunity as the Reds start to gather momentum under Andoni Iraola.
The Merseyside giants have now recorded back-to-back wins after beating Ipswich Town 2-0 away in the Premier League on Friday evening and following that up with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Reds splashed out nearly £200million on the acquisitions of Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola in Andoni Iraola’s maiden transfer window as Reds chief. But they are still looking for a successor to Mohamed Salah to play on the right wing. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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Rayan opportunity
Liverpool may possess a formidable forward line, but they do so without having recruited a natural right-winger this past summer.
The Reds brought in Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola to strengthen their attacking arsenal, but failed to secure a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, after moves for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace ace Ismaila Sarr collapsed in the window’s closing stages, reports the Mirror.
The long-term heir to the Egyptian legend could materialise in the shape of Bournemouth sensation Rayan.
The Brazil international will have a £130m release clause available to be activated from next summer, the Athletic report.
The 20-year-old was recruited to the Premier League in January under Iraola and made a significant impact with five goals netted and two assists delivered in 15 matches.
The Cherries are anticipated to reject any bid for the winger before the release clause becomes operative.
Potential replacement for sporting director
The departure of Richard Hughes from Liverpool was confirmed last week, as the former sporting director chose to leave Anfield a year prior to his contract’s expiration.
The Scotsman’s controversial exit – quitting one of the world’s biggest football clubs for Saudi side Al-Hilal – leaves a considerable void in the Reds’ football operations, with a huge decision to be made over who should now be responsible for Liverpool’s transfers.
FSG technical director, Julian Ward, who previously held the position of the club’s sporting director in 2022 following Michael Edwards’ departure, has been touted as a strong candidate to replace Hughes.
According to The Athletic, Ward is among the frontrunners for the role, with current assistant sporting director David Woodfine and director of football development Pedro Marques also mentioned as potential internal candidates.
However, Ornstein did not dismiss the possibility of an external appointment.
Bradley Barcola update
Andoni Iraola said he was relieved when Bradley Barcola told him he was only suffering with cramp after coming off against Atletico Madrid.
Barcola looked bright in the 2-1 win at Anfield on Wednesday night – despite squandering one golden opportunity to bag his first goal for the Reds in front of the Kop – but was forced off in the 60th minute.
The £123m summer signing went down holding his left calf after sprinting in behind the defence. Yet his Spanish manager moved to ease any fears about his injury status following the match.
Iraola said: “It was just cramps, especially with Bradley [Barcola]. We are rushing him, he hasn’t played any minutes in pre-season, but today we decided to ask him to give everything he had. Let’s see how they recover for the next one.”
Barcola had two good chances to open his account for his new club, but couldn’t take them. His first effort was saved by Atletico’s formidable goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while his second was put wide when put clean through on goal by Florian Wirtz.