Andoni Iraola has already made one signing as Liverpool manager, welcoming Osasuna star Victor Munoz for £34million, but the Reds' new boss won't be stopping there
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Axa training centre on June 04, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola is looking for his next signing(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has been told not to sign any players from his former club Bournemouth. Iraola, 44, spent three years with the Cherries, who qualified for Europe for the first time in their history in his final season.
Bournemouth's Premier League finishes improved year on year under the Spaniard, despite regularly being stripped of most of their best assets. Three starting defenders were sold last summer before top scorer Antoine Semenyo departed for Manchester City in the January transfer window.
Yet plenty of talent remains at the Vitality Stadium, such as in-demand midfielder Alex Scott, who's been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United. However, Iraola has been urged not to raid his former employers.
Speaking to Betfred, Liverpool legend John Barnes stated: "There's no Bournemouth player I'd like to see him (Andoni Iraola) bring to Anfield with him because I don't think there's a Bournemouth player who's better than what we already have.
"Alex Scott is somebody that's trusted by Andoni Iraola, but I think the only reason he'd arrive at the club would be solely due to the manager. Iraola understands him and if Arne Slot was still the manager, and he's a different manager to Andoni, then maybe he'd have been less suited."
Barnes will be no-doubt be wary of how Milos Kerkez has fared at Anfield since joining Liverpool for £40million last summer. The left-back had a mixed debut season with the Reds, however he's set to remain first choice in the role following Andy Robertson's departure.
Liverpool have already brought in one non-Bournemouth player under Iraola. Last week, the Reds confirmed that they'd signed Victor Munoz from La Liga side Osasuna in a £34m deal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool had an £86m bid for Yan Diomande rejected by RB Leipzig. Attack appears to be the priority for the Reds, who've also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 9: Bournemouth's Alex Scott during the Premier League match between Fulham and Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on May 9, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Alex Scott has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
The man in charge of Liverpool's recruitment, sporting director Richard Hughes, worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, and their relationship helped during negotiations. "Obviously it helps a lot, you know, that on the other side of the table there is someone who you have already worked with," Iraola explained earlier this month.
"We were one year together, but in this case I would say it's about the club, it's about Liverpool is what really attracted me. I think now I am looking forward to getting all the information.
"I am talking to everyone so I can understand better the club, everything that happens outside the pitch and we still have time. We still have one month until we really start working with the players, but I would like to use this month also properly to arrive here in the proper way."
Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.