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Liverpool right-back plans unclear after new contracts, free transfer and £47m Chelsea move

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Friday, July 5, 2024: Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot (L) and Sporting Director Richard Hughes (R) are presented at a photo call at the club's AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool are expected to sign a new right-back this summer, but their options appear to be dwindling as high-profile candidates continue to land elsewhere.

The Guardian‘s Andy Hunter and journalist David Lynch were among those to report on Liverpool’s plans to bring in a new right-back last month.

Lynch wrote on his Substack that the club’s recruitment team were “scouring the market” having “learned lessons” from a campaign which saw Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones regularly used out of position.

But days before pre-season begins at the AXA Training Centre, it is no clearer where Liverpool will look for their new addition.

Which right-backs have Liverpool already missed out on?

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 13: Denzel Dumfries of Netherlands celebrates after scoring their side's third goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group C match between Netherlands and Ukraine at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on June 13, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lukas Schulze - UEFA)

There was known interest in Denzel Dumfries, but that appears to have been shelved following the sacking of countryman Arne Slot, paving the way for the Netherlands international’s move from Inter Milan to Real Madrid.

Another Dutchman, Feyenoord youngster Givairo Read, was also linked throughout Slot’s reign but is now on the radar of Nottingham Forest, who saw a £22 million bid rejected this week.

Marco Palestra was also touted with a switch to Anfield but has since joined Chelsea in a deal worth up to £47 million.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, April 27, 2026: Brentford's Michael Kayode during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brentford FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There were sections of the support who had also hoped for the arrivals of Michael Kayode or Pedro Porro, but the pair have now signed new long-term contracts with Brentford and Tottenham respectively.

Finally, Spaniard Oscar Mingueza was tipped to join on a free transfer from Celta Vigo, but Thursday saw him instead make the move to Crystal Palace.

While that does not leave the right-back pool completely empty, it certainly reduces the obvious candidates available to Liverpool as they seek competition for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.

Liverpool haven’t signed a player since June 18

Victor Munoz of Spain during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt played at RCDE Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)

This comes with little in the way of movement on the transfer front since the £34.5 million move for Victor Munoz almost a month ago.

Ex-Osasuna winger Munoz is one of only two new arrivals at Anfield so far this summer, with Jeremy Jacquet formally completing his £60 million move from Rennes on July 1.

It has left many supporters frustrated with a perceived lack of impetus from sporting director Richard Hughes, though it was acknowledged that Andoni Iraola would first look to assess the squad already available to him.

As it stands, Frimpong and Joe Gomez will be Iraola’s principle right-back options throughout pre-season, with Bradley still out with a long-term knee injury.

Calvin Ramsay, Isaac Mabaya and DJ Esdaille are among those who could be promoted from the academy ranks.

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