Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on during Premier League match
Liverpool are said to be in the mix for one of the most exciting young midfielders in world football currently. The Reds are expected to invest significantly again this summer despite shelling out huge money last summer.
Andoni Iraola has taken charge this summer, and the Spaniard is going to get the chance to put his own stamp on his squad, while there are players like Mo Salah and Ibrahima Konate who must be replaced following exits.
Meanwhile, the Reds will be keeping an eye on good opportunities in the market, and one of them may come in the form of a World Cup talent.
Bouaddi to Liverpool could be on the cards
via Reuters
Liverpool are said to be interested in Morocco and Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is on course to land a big move this summer. The 18-year-old is already having a fine World Cup despite his youth, starting back-to-back group stage games for Morocco, drawing with Brazil and beating Scotland.
A number of top clubs are now said to be interested, and Fabrizio Romano has said on Born'n Red: "Keep a close eye to the situation of Bouaddi for Liverpool and other clubs. #LFC had two meetings and more clubs involved in that [PSG and Arsenal], so could be an opportunity to go for him.
"It depends on price, it depends on what Lille want to do but Liverpool have been scouting the player for a long time, it has been almost 1 year monitoring the player closely. Let’s see if they enter this one. I think it could be interesting, not just for Liverpool but for other clubs.”
Bouaddi is likely to have an asking price of at least £70million this summer, and the dilemma for clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal will be whether they are willing to commit so much money to a player who is unlikely to be ready to be a starter immediately, as well as he has been playing at senior level.
Busquets comparison
Spain's Sergio Busquets in action with England's Eric Dier
Bouaddi has been compared to the likes of Sergio Busquets, with Olivier Giroud saying during this World Cup: "What impressed me was his maturity and his environment, which is really healthy, first and foremost. He has a good head on his shoulders in the sense that he is calm and self-confident. He is a gift to have on your team and Morocco must be very happy to have him.
"All my friends and several teammates told me about Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets, saying that he was a mix of both. He still has a way to go to reach both of them, but there are similarities."
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola watching on from the touchline
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola watching on from the touchline