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Liverpool FC## Liverpool has been tentatively linked with Bournemouth's Rayan this summer but its hopes of signing him have now taken a hit due to the injury of one of his teammates
20:23, 29 Jul 2026
Bournemouth winger Rayan in action during a Premier League match
Liverpool have been tentatively linked with Bournemouth winger Rayan this summer(Image: Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Liverpool has suffered a possible transfer blow as it steps up its search for attacking options this summer.
The Reds are in the market for a winger following Mohamed Salah's departure at the end of last season, and they have already bolstered their ranks with the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna. However, more depth is certainly needed, and they are yet to fill the void left by the Egyptian.
As things stand, Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola is the most concrete link following reports on Wednesday that Liverpool is set to submit its first bid for the Frenchman. A deal remains complicated, however, given PSG's rumored asking price and the fact the club looks set to miss out on its top target, Yan Diomande.
Another name tentatively linked with a move to Anfield this summer is Bournemouth's Rayan. The Brazilian would arguably be a suitable replacement for Salah given he predominantly operates on the right flank and is already familiar with new head coach Andoni Iraola.
That said, given Rayan only joined the Cherries in January, his rumored release clause does not come into effect until 2027. Now, any hope of Liverpool, or any other club, prying him away from Bournemouth before the window closes has almost certainly disappeared following the latest injury news.
Bournemouth confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that forward Eli Junior Kroupi has sustained a foot injury and returned from the club's preseason training camp in Austria to undergo surgery. The anticipated recovery timeline is between three and four months, meaning he will likely return in November at the earliest or December.
Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth celebrates after he scores a goal in a Premier League match against Manchester City
Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi will be sidelined for a number of months due to injury(Image: Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
It's a huge setback for Bournemouth, which is settling into life under a new manager following Iraola's departure at the end of last season and subsequent move to Liverpool. Marco Rose has been appointed as his successor but will now have to navigate the opening few months of the season without one of his key attacking players.
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Therefore, it can be inferred that Bournemouth's willingness to negotiate a deal for Rayan before the window closes has likely diminished. It was always unlikely the club would part ways with the 19-year-old just six months after signing him regardless, but in an inflated market, every player has a price.
Now, Bournemouth's focus will most likely be on ensuring it has enough squad depth to cope with domestic and European football next season. Thanks to a stellar campaign under Iraola, the Cherries will compete in the Europa League for the first time in club history in 2026/27.
The Athletic reported last month that Rayan's release clause, which comes into effect in January, is in the region of £130 million ($170 million). The teenager is rumored to have a number of long-term suitors, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Arsenal.
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