Andoni Iraola could turn to a familiar face as he looks to add a new attacker to his Liverpool front-line this summer. Iraola is just getting his feet under the table at Anfield, but he will already be evaluating which parts of his squad need strengthening ahead of his first season in charge.
The Reds will be expecting to be in the title conversation next season after a disappointing second season under Arne Slot that ended up costing the Dutchman his job. Big investment last summer filled this Liverpool squad with attacking talent, and fans want to see this team play attacking football. Iraola specialises in direct, attacking football, but he may feel he needs a couple of extra tools to get his new team playing the way he wants them to.
Liverpool eye move to sign Rayan from Bournemouth
Rayan
Iraola is reportedly looking back to his old club to help with attacking reinforcements at Liverpool. According to Sport Witness, Rayan is a potential target, with the Brazilian having enjoyed a superb end to the season after joining Bournemouth in January.
The 19-year-old, described as "electric" by BBC pundit Ashley Wiliams this season, scored five and assisted twice in 15 Premier League appearances, helping the Cherries land a Europa League berth. The young winger has a unique strength and power for his age, and there is real excitement over what he will develop into given how easily he has taken to the Premier League already.
AFC Bournemouth paid £35million to sign Rayan in January, and there is no telling what they will ask for to sell the young winger now, although he is understood to have a £130million release clause that kicks in in the January transfer window. He is one of the most exciting young talents to have arrived in the Premier League in recent years, and he is under contract until 2031. Rayan is already valued at £51.8million by Transfermarkt.
Iraola has spoken glowingly about Rayan in the past
Andoni Iraola looks on during a Bournemouth matchHannah Mckay via Reuters
Iraola is a fine developer of young players, and while everyone at Bournemouth was busy getting carried away with Rayan, the new Liverpool boss has always focused on the development of the attacker.
After Rayan's first goal, the Spaniard said: "I think he's still in the process of adaptation and he needs to learn a lot and we need to learn a lot from him. To see him in different positions, in different scenarios.
“But if he does this process while adding numbers like the other day with the assist, like today with the goal, I think he's a player, if we can provide him spaces and situations to go one against one against the defenders, he will produce a good offensive threat.”
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