The latest updates on Liverpool’s progress in the transfer window - with news of several possible summer signings and sales.
Few Premier League sides face a more challenging transfer window than Liverpool. After a disappointing 2025/26 season cost Arne Slot his job as head coach, the Reds have lost the services of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté and Andrew Robertson and head into the summer needing to find both replacements and ways to improve after 2025’s record-breaking transfer outlay failed to spark another title challenge.
Liverpool have come into the summer with a considerable transfer budget once more but seem unlikely to match last year’s staggering £410m spending spree, meaning that they could find it tricky not only to plug the significant holes which have appeared in the squad but also to bridge the equally gaping gap which emerged between themselves and title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.
So far, Liverpool have beaten Newcastle to the signing of promising Spanish winger Victor Muñoz and completed a previously-agreed deal for young French centre-back Jérémy Jacquet – but what comes next? In today’s State of Play, we’ve looked at all the latest news and likely comings and goings below.
Bradley Barcola emerges as priority target as Salah replacement search continues
Bradley Barcola is a key target - but agreeing a transfer fee could be challengingplaceholder image
Bradley Barcola is a key target - but agreeing a transfer fee could be challenging | Getty Images
While the arrival of Muñoz provides some necessary competition down the left wing, the search for a right winger is perhaps the single greatest priority of the summer. The departure of club legend Salah has left a huge void begging to be filled.
Liverpool’s preferred signing would be RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande, but the Ivorian has made it clear that he would prefer to join PSG and seems likely to get his wish. The Reds will continue to monitor the situation, but do so more in hope than expectation.
With Diomande seemingly out of reach, PSG’s own Bradley Barcola has emerged as Plan B. The 23-year-old has struggled to hold down a starting spot in his current club’s terrifying talented attack and seems to be keen on a transfer – but his valuation could prove to be a stumbling block, as could potential rival interest from Arsenal, who could make a move after missing out on Morgan Rogers.
Several sources agree that PSG value Barcola at £100m or more, while Liverpool hope to pay no more than £85m. It’s possible that PSG agree to lower their fee if they succeed in signing Diomande – a deal which would make Barcola’s place in the squad even more peripheral – but that’s conjecture at this stage in proceedings.
Bournemouth’s Rayan is another player who is highly regarded at Anfield, not least by new head coach Andoni Iraola, but there seems to be a growing acceptance that the Brazilian is out of reach for now. He has a £130m release clause in his contract which kicks in next year, but the Cherries have no intention of selling before then.
Should Liverpool prove unable to secure the signing of Barcola – and unable to make a miracle happen with Diomande or Rayan – it’s unclear what their next move would be, although Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Köln’s Said El Mala have admirers within the club.
Who else might Liverpool sign this summer?
Liverpool are likely to look for a new left-back - could Sweden international Daniel Svensson be an option?placeholder image
Liverpool are likely to look for a new left-back - could Sweden international Daniel Svensson be an option? | Getty Images
While a new right winger is the clear priority, Liverpool are also believed to be looking for defensive reinforcements, especially at left-back – as it stands, the only senior players in that position are Miloš Kerkez, who endured an unconvincing debut season with the club, and Kostas Tsimikas, who could leave the club.
Iraola’s previous experience of managing Kerkez means that the Hungarian is likely to serve as the undisputed number one, but a rotational option would be a desirable addition.
The addition of another centre-back is another possibility. In Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool have two talented defenders who could compete to play alongside Virgil van Dijk, but they are both green and coming back from serious injuries. A more experienced insurance policy would be ideal.
As it stands, it’s not clear who the main targets for either position might be. A handful of somewhat unreliable media sources have mentioned interest in Borussia Dortmund and Sweden left-back Daniel Svensson, but those claims remain unsubstantiated. Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven is greatly admired and would be a dream option for centre-back, but the cost is likely to prove prohibitive, with the bulk of the transfer budget currently earmarked for a new winger. Club Brugge’s Joel Ordóñez is an outside possibility.
At present, the club appear to have cooled their interest in adding any new midfielders for the time being. Dominik Szoboszlai’s decision to sign a new five-year contract has provided reassurance about strength and depth in the position, and any interest in the likes of Adam Wharton and Alex Scott seems to have been put on the back burner.
Finally, The Liverpool Echo have recently confirmed that the club are in the process of finalising a deal worth around £750,000 for Colombia Under-17 international Samuel Martínez. The Atlético Nacional midfielder is expected to agree terms in the coming days, and will move to Anfield next summer after he turns 18.
Who could leave Anfield over the coming weeks?
Curtis Jones is open to a move but is not expected to force the issue as it standsplaceholder image
Curtis Jones is open to a move but is not expected to force the issue as it stands | Getty Images
The most prominent first-team player who could still leave the club is midfielder (and occasional right-back) Curtis Jones, who is still the subject of interest from Inter Milan – although the Serie A side do not appear to have made a new bid after an initial offer of an estimated €25m (£21m) was turned down.
Iraola appears to be happy to keep Jones, but the player is interested in leaving to further his career after falling down the pecking order following the departure of Jürgen Klopp. No other clubs have made formal enquiries as it stands, so his future likely depends on Inter’s willingness to come back to the table later in the window.
Federico Chiesa is still being shopped around in the hopes of finding him a new club, although the club may hang on to him if they can’t resolve the situation on the right wing to their satisfaction. Juventus, Napoli, Roma and Inter have all shown some tentative interest, but a deal does not appear to be imminent.
No decision has yet been made on Harvey Elliott. Iraola has indicated a desire to give the 23-year-old a chance to prove himself in pre-season after the utility player endured a disastrous wilderness year on loan at Aston Villa. There has also been speculation about the future of Cody Gakpo amid interest from Spurs, but at present Liverpool have no intention of letting the Dutchman leave.