Liverpool remain keen on signing another new winger this summer after securing a deal for Osasuna ace Victor Munoz.
The Reds return to pre-season training next week, and there will be several notable figures missing following the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
However, the new era under Andoni Iraola is about to begin and, with the new season rapidly approaching, the former AFC Bournemouth boss will want to quickly establish his vision for a much-improved campaign on the red side of Merseyside.
With so much work to do both on the training ground and in the transfer market, Liverpool must start finalising their targets and making formal approaches to give Iraola the best possible opportunity to bring success back to Anfield.
What’s the latest on Liverpool transfer news?
It has been widely reported that Liverpool’s top priority is replacing Salah and the enormous contribution he made to the team over the last decade.
While most of the headlines have focused on the Merseyside giants’ attempts to secure deals for both Yan Diomande and World Cup semi-finalist Bradley Barcola, interest has also been growing behind the scenes in another World Cup breakout star who would offer a very different profile within the squad.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are reluctantly willing to agree to the terms Lille have set to secure the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The publication claims that while Lille are open to offers of around £100m, they are keen to retain the services of their midfielder for another 12 months and would therefore prefer a deal that includes an initial season-long loan back to the French club.
Premier League champions Arsenal are also interested in signing Bouaddi this summer and are reportedly willing to agree to the same arrangement.
Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
The Moroccan talent was tipped as one to watch at the World Cup and has certainly captured the attention of the world with his performances before Morocco were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals last night.
A technically gifted defensive midfielder with awareness beyond his years, the Lille youngster has been central to Morocco’s controlled and composed performances throughout the competition.
The Atlas Lions gave France arguably their toughest test so far, holding them to a goalless draw at half-time before the inevitable quality of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele proved decisive with their elite attacking prowess and tournament experience.
Bouaddi – once hailed as “destined for success” by former coach Georges Tournay – is renowned for his tackling, dribbling, positional intelligence and outstanding concentration from his deep-lying role.
He has demonstrated for both Lille and Morocco that he is ready to take the next step in his career, possessing the consistency needed to fulfil his enormous potential at an elite level.
Should Liverpool sign Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Future-proofing Salah’s former role will be the catalyst for ensuring the Reds remain capable of competing for silverware year after year, but it will be incredibly difficult to find a single player capable of replicating the Egyptian’s influence in attack.
While replacing Salah remains Liverpool’s primary objective, strengthening other key areas of the squad cannot be overlooked if Iraola is to build a balanced side capable of competing on multiple fronts.
The signing of Bouaddi would not represent a direct replacement for Salah, but it would align with Liverpool’s clear desire to invest in emerging talent capable of becoming the next generation of stars rather than relying solely on established players already in their prime.
In Liverpool’s midfield, there is certainly room for improvement after last season, with several performances exposing weaknesses through the centre of the pitch.
The club have not signed a specialist defensive midfielder since Fabinho departed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in 2023, and with several Premier League rivals strengthening their midfield options over recent summers, there is a clear opportunity to recruit a player with a more specialised defensive role.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are all exceptionally talented midfielders, possessing the versatility to perform at a high level across the centre of the pitch and in the final third.
However, establishing a dedicated defensive presence in midfield could prove hugely beneficial as Liverpool enter a period of transition in their back line.
The departures of Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold, coupled with Virgil van Dijk entering the final year of his contract, leave Liverpool facing an uncertain defensive future.
Players such as Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and even Jeremie Frimpong possess exciting potential, but they will need time to develop and prove they can consistently perform at the elite level Liverpool demand.
That is precisely why adding greater stability in defensive midfield could prove invaluable as the club navigates the next generation of the squad.
A player with Bouaddi’s composure and tactical discipline would provide an extra layer of protection while Liverpool’s evolving defence develops chemistry under Iraola, allowing the team to transition into its next chapter with greater balance.