Liverpool have plenty of business to do this summer and we now know they will do so under new leadership, so are there any gems that could be unearthed from the relegated teams?
For years, the financial implications of demotion to the second tier have facilitated ransackings of that particular market, something the Reds themselves have benefited from on a number of occasions.
Andy Robertson and Gini Wijnaldum are undoubtedly among the top end of those in more recent years, with the likes of Stephane Henchoz, Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant providing Premier League examples from further back.
With the Reds set for another busy window to follow that of 12 months prior, we’re taking a look at whether this could be a pool worth dipping into again and at some of the names that might pique the club’s interest.
Jarrod Bowen – West Ham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 15, 2025: West Ham United's captain Jarrod Bowen during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and West Ham United FC at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Jarrod Bowen
Name: Jarrod Bowen
DOB: Dec 20, 1996 (29)
Height: 5’9″ (175cm)
POB: Leominster, England
Club: West Ham
Position: Right Winger
Foot: Left
Market Value: £45m
Jarrod Bowen has been a name on the radar for what has felt like an eternity, with the latest reports of ‘growing interest’ coming as recently as last month.
Not only would Bowen provide welcome relief to the seemingly endless homegrown headache, the consistency of his output in a weaker side could certainly be put to use at Anfield.
It can, by no means, represent the sum total of Liverpool’s attacking expenditure this summer, but with Federico Chiesa likely to depart, the 29-year-old could easily be considered an upgrade in that department.
Mateus Mane – Wolves
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mateus Mané (L) sprints past Liverpool's Federico Chiesa during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Mateus Mane
Name: Mateus Mane
DOB: Sep 16, 2007 (18)
Height: 5’9″ (175cm)
POB: Barreiro, Portugal
Club: Wolves
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Foot: Right
Market Value: £30m
If he is half as good as the last fella with this surname, we could do an awful lot worse!
Liverpool have already been credited with genuine interest in Mateus Mane across recent months, with Wolves’ relegation deemed a formality for the majority of last season.
Positional versatility will be an invaluable asset on the shopping list this summer and the Portuguese forward certainly ticks that box.
The Reds will need to make numerous attacking buys and there isn’t an endless pot of money with which to get all the business done, so the reported £30 million price tag may appeal.
Mateus Fernandes – West Ham
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch is challenged by West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes (L) during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Mateus Fernandes
Name: Mateus Fernandes
DOB: Jul 10, 2004 (21)
Height: 5’10” (178cm)
POB: Olhao, Portugal
Club: West Ham
Position: Central Midfielder
Foot: Right
Market Value: £80m
On the subject of sharing names, Mateus Fernandes is another Liverpool should be keeping an eye on when looking to bolster the number of trusted options across the board next season.
Capable of operating in a number of midfield roles, the 21-year-old could become a long-term solution at the base – with no senior specialist having joined since Fabinho’s arrival all the way back in 2018.
Having already caught the attention of PSG, the Reds will no doubt have to tussle with the heavyweights if they are serious about their interest, but it could be the answer to a longstanding problem in the middle of the park.
Crysencio Summerville – West Ham
West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville celebrates (Jordan Pettiitt/PA)
Player Profile: Crysencio Summerville
Name: Crysencio Summerville
DOB: Oct 30, 2001 (24)
Height: 5’9″ (174cm)
POB: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Club: West Ham
Position: Left Winger
Foot: Right
Market Value: £30m
Not one linked quite as frequently as some of the others, Crysencio Summerville is still an option to keep tabs on given Liverpool’s current areas of priority in the market.
With Cody Gakpo’s struggles in 2025/26 and Rio Ngumoha’s rawness at still just 17, the Reds should certainly be in the market for some freshness on the left to accompany a successor to Mohamed Salah on the right.
There are flashier, more proven names available, but Summerville does come with Premier League experience and an eye for goal – a wildcard option, perhaps.
Joao Gomes – Wolves
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 4, 2024: Wolverhampton Wanderers' João Gomes during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Joao Gomes
Name: Joao Gomes
DOB: Feb 12, 2001 (25)
Height: 5’9″ (176cm)
POB: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Club: Wolves
Position: Central Midfielder
Foot: Right
Market Value: £39m
Pipping Matheus Cunha to Wolves’ Supporters Player of the Season back in 2024/25, Joao Gomes has quickly developed a reputation at Molineux since his arrival three-and-a-half years ago.
It feels inevitable he will move on to pastures new this summer, having narrowly missed out on a World Cup call-up for Brazil despite being named among the initial preliminary squad.
Gomes made 35 Premier League appearances last season and was a standout in an otherwise struggling Wolves side.
Liverpool would need to fend off strong interest from Atletico Madrid if they were to get this done, but he looks like a solid Premier League-proven midfielder at the age of 25.
Maxime Esteve – Burnley
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz (L) is challenged by Burnley's Maxime Estève during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Maxime Esteve
Name: Maxime Esteve
DOB: May 26, 2002 (24)
Height: 6’4″ (193cm)
POB: Montpellier, France
Club: Burnley
Position: Centre-back
Foot: Left
Market Value: £25m
Bringing some balance to the list with a Burnley centre-half, 24-year-old Maxime Esteve was one of the few shining lights at Turf Moor last season.
Despite the incoming Jeremy Jacquet and the returning Geovanni Leoni, Liverpool’s centre-back options took a hit following the announcement of Ibrahima Konate’s departure.
Given the injuries to both youngsters last season, the Reds may be tempted to add one more body at the back and Esteve was one of the more impressive defenders among the relegated sides in 2025/26.
Everton have been reportedly linked, so it would be amusing if nothing else!
El Hadji Malick Diouf – West Ham
Player Profile: El Hadji Malick Diouf
Name: El Hadji Malick Diouf
DOB: Dec 28, 2004 (21)
Height: 6’0″ (183cm)
POB: Dakar, Senegal
Club: West Ham
Position: Left-Back
Foot: Left
Market Value: £26m
Apologies for the jump scare; it’s not that one!
If, as expected, Kostas Tsimikas returns to the fold next season, Liverpool are fairly well-stocked at left-back despite the exit of club legend Andy Robertson.
Should the Reds look to go in a different direction, however, Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf could provide some cover for Milos Kerkez as he links up with former boss Andoni Iraola.
At just 21, Diouf would be a more futureproof alternative to Tsimikas.