New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola could look to bring three of his Bournemouth players to Anfield with him
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Axa training centre
Andoni Iraola could try to coax some of his former players to Liverpool(Image: Getty)
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New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola could bring three Bournemouth players with him from the South Coast. The 43-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Reds.
Having steered the Cherries into European football for the first time in their history with a sixth-place Premier League finish, Iraola was handpicked to succeed Arne Slot.
The Dutch manager finished just three points ahead of Bournemouth in the top flight this season and failed to win a trophy, having lifted the league title in his first campaign.
Marcos Senesi
The most obvious and immediate target Iraola could try to lure to Liverpool is Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi. The 29-year-old was instrumental in Bournemouth's achievements this season and has established himself as one of the finest ball-playing defenders in the division.
Andoni Iraola manager of AFC Bournemouth with Marcos Senesi after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United
Senesi has been linked with the Reds but is seemingly set to join Spurs(Image: Getty)
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Earlier in the campaign, Senesi confirmed he would be departing the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season and the club have already said their goodbyes. It is widely expected he will put pen to paper at Tottenham once the transfer window opens.
However, Liverpool could benefit from additional defensive reinforcements following the loss of Ibrahima Konate and were reportedly linked with Senesi last month. Iraola might present an enticing proposition to his former charge and coax him to Anfield on a free transfer.
Rayan
Bournemouth have maintained their strategy of recruiting young, developing prospects and transforming them into emerging superstars. Brazilian forward Rayan represents the latest addition to this production line of promising youngsters.
The 19-year-old only arrived at the Cherries in January for an initial £24.7m from Vasco da Gama. Yet after netting five goals in merely 15 top-flight appearances, the teenager looks a genuine talent and has already earned a call-up to the Brazil squad for World Cup 2026.
Rayan of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Fulham and Bournemouth at Craven Cottage
Rayan is at World Cup 2026 with Brazil(Image: Getty)
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Iraola developed Rayan into a Premier League-quality player within months and he may look to bring him to Liverpool, where he'd feature on the right wing in Mohamed Salah's absence.
However, the price tag could pose a problem. talkSPORT reports that Bournemouth included an £87m release clause in the player's deal, though it only takes effect next summer. Consequently, the transfer may need to be delayed until then, as any move this year could prove prohibitively expensive.
Tyler Adams
Bournemouth boast an assortment of other quality, including Alex Scott and Junior Kroupi, both of whom would be received enthusiastically at Liverpool.
Tyler Adams of Bournemouth after his sides 1-0 win during the Premier League match between Fulham and Bournemouth at Craven Cottage
Adams is a midfield enforcer(Image: Getty)
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However, Tyler Adams has been equally vital to the Cherries' achievements and arguably strengthens an area where the Reds require enhancement. Ryan Gravenberch is the preferred holding midfield choice and Alexis Mac Allister can function in a deeper role to some extent.
Wataru Endo is the most defensively-focused midfielder in the present squad, though he may leave this summer. Adams, who delivers outstanding physicality to the midfield through his tackling and ball recovery, alongside tireless energy levels, would prove invaluable to a squad like Liverpool's.
He is 27 and his contract runs until 2028, meaning he wouldn't command an excessive fee. Adams would ultimately provide the Reds with another reliable option in a position where they could soon be short of cover.
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