New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is already shaping his transfer plans as the Reds weigh up a £55m buy-back option for Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen, while Alex Scott has been linked
06:24, 11 Jun 2026Updated 06:24, 11 Jun 2026
New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has wasted little time in getting down to business in the transfer market. The Spaniard replaced Arne Slot in the hot seat after the Dutchman's dismissal and, following a fifth-place Premier League finish, there's widespread agreement that reinforcements are needed on Merseyside.
Iraola penned a deal that extends until the 2027/28 campaign, a standard practice that has become routine for the manager who launched his coaching journey with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Despite it being a relatively brief contract, Iraola will have his sights firmly fixed on emulating Jurgen Klopp by establishing himself as a Kop legend, though he faces a considerable challenge.
The Reds splashed out over £450 million in an attempt to retain their crown last summer, featuring blockbuster acquisitions such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez strengthened their full-back department, yet Liverpool failed to reproduce the same standards that secured them the Premier League trophy in 2024/25.
Jarell Quansah moved from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen last year
View 2 Images
Jarell Quansah moved from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen last year(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Despite an underwhelming campaign on the whole, Slot did succeed in securing Champions League qualification. With Iraola now in charge, the 46 year old is ushering the club into a fresh chapter and he might turn to trusted allies to maximise his chances of making his reign a triumph, reports the Mirror.
Iraola eyes Cherries raid One of the rising stars believed to be on Iraola's radar is Bournemouth ace Alex Scott, who has flourished under his guidance. Earlier this week, talkSPORT suggested that there were connections between Liverpool and the 23-year-old, with 'noise growing' about his future.
Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with the highly sought-after midfielder. The Cherries are hesitant to let him go, however, and have slapped a hefty £80 million price tag on him in an attempt to deter interest.
The South Coast club have become known for selling their young talents for substantial profit, including Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo. Scott could be the next big name to seek greener pastures as he aims to break into Thomas Tuchel's England setup.
Iraola is a huge admirer of the box-to-box midfielder and the feeling seems to be reciprocated. When asked about Iraola's appointment last week, Scott said: "I think the way we press out of possession is very aggressive, maybe similar to the early Klopp teams Liverpool had, that fierce aggressiveness and pressing with the wingers. I would say he is similar to that. Liverpool fans should definitely be so excited."
Alex Scott of Bournemouth is a reported target for Liverpool
View 2 Images
Alex Scott of Bournemouth is a reported target for Liverpool(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Whether Bournemouth's £80m asking price for Scott exceeds Liverpool's budget remains to be seen, although it's believed that the two clubs maintain a good relationship. Sporting director Richard Hughes, who previously worked at the Vitality Stadium before joining Liverpool, played a key role in securing Iraola and Kerkez last summer.
Liverpool aren't overly concerned about the sudden need to find a replacement this summer following Ibrahima Konate's departure. It's suggested that the Reds may reassess their centre-back options during the transfer window but with numerous other areas requiring attention, young pair Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet have been privately praised.
Another potential solution is the clause included in Jarell Quansah's contract when he was transferred to Bayer Leverkusen. The 22 year old has thrived in his debut season in the Bundesliga and earned a spot in Tuchel's 26-man England squad for the World Cup.
Join Gold Star!
Gold Star is the latest chapter in the evolution of the Daily Star. Our ‘premium’ digital service has launched, offering you even more of our brilliant journalism but with even fewer adverts.
And if you do, this is what you’ll get:
- A new ad-lite subscription service offering unlimited access to Gold Star and our app, as well as a cleaner viewing experience with far fewer ads
- Access to exclusive subscriber-only articles crafted specifically for readers who want their stories to dig a little deeper. This will include unique insight from our writers alongside thought-provoking comment
- Bespoke special offers, rewards and competitions from our partners
- Access our Gold Nuggets, the juiciest picks from the Daily Star - no digging required!
- The most fun you can have with a daily news brand anywhere in the world!
Membership starts at £1.99 a month or £12 for the year. These are both Gold Star launch offers for the next 12 months so make sure you don’t miss out.
Click on this article to subscribe
Liverpool retain the option to re-sign Quansah for £55m this summer as part of the sale agreement, which would result in a £20m loss compared to the fee they received a year ago. However, considering his homegrown status and popularity among the fans, it could be a route that Iraola and Liverpool consider towards the close of the window.
Quansah disclosed in April that his decision to depart was driven by opportunities for regular first-team action, which might pave the way for a comeback if Liverpool can promise game time. "To be honest, I wouldn't say it was the hardest decision because I just wanted to play," he explained.
"I felt like I could play at the top level, the Bundesliga's a top league and being able to play in the Champions League and play top games. I think you just have maybe a gut feeling. Sometimes you can't think about it too much and listen to too many people to be honest, because you can listen to a few things and get persuaded."
Article continues below
The Liverpool Echo reports that the England centre-back has 'already agreed personal terms' on an Anfield deal, should the Reds opt to trigger their clause. That certainly relieves pressure on Liverpool's recruitment team, knowing they can finalise an agreement in the coming weeks if they need additional defensive cover.