LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Bournemouth winger Rayan is described as their “dream target” for the right flank, but the Brazilian’s £85.7 million release clause does not kick in until 2027.
Rayan only joined Bournemouth from Vasco da Gama at the end of January, but 19-year-old is already being touted with a move to an elite club.
Liverpool are believed to be chief among those interested in the left-footed right winger, who scored five and assisted two goals in 15 games in his first half-season in the Premier League.
talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook reports that Rayan is the “dream target” for Andoni Iraola‘s side, though a transfer is considered unlikely this summer.
That comes with the teenager’s release clause – said to be €100 million (£85.7m) – not being active until next year.
Previous reports via The Athletic claimed the release clause was set at €150 million (£128.5m) from January 2027, though it is possible that fee then drops in the summer.
A similar mechanism was negotiated into Antoine Semenyo’s contract at Bournemouth, with the winger having been able to leave for £65 million in January or around £50 million in the summer – though Man City ultimately circumvented the clause.
Rayan has limited experience of English football but showed in his first four months that he is capable of making the step up immediately.
Why Liverpool would be interested in Rayan
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It is perhaps no surprise that he would be coveted by those on Merseyside, not least due to Liverpool’s connections with Bournemouth including Iraola himself.
Iraola worked closely with Rayan prior to his departure at the end of last season, and with a major vacancy opening up in his squad at Anfield, he would likely relish a reunion with the No. 37.
Liverpool are well aware of the lack of options on the market this summer, which comes with unfortunate timing after Mohamed Salah‘s exit.
A bid worth €100 million (£85.7m) was tabled for RB Leipzig right winger Yan Diomande only for that to be rejected as the Ivorian nears a move to Real Madrid instead.
Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
The focus has now shifted to PSG’s Bradley Barcola, with a first bid worth around £80 million being prepared after the Frenchman turned down a new contract at the Parc des Princes.
But while Barcola is capable of playing across the forward line he is not a natural right winger, and it may be that Iraola makes do for his first season with Liverpool before a specialist like Rayan is brought in.
There are already plans in place for Rio Ngumoha to play on both the left and right flanks, while Federico Chiesa has expressed a desire to stay and fight for his place.
away-training-kit
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 3
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola stops to sign autographs for supporters as he returns to the team hotel after a morning training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)