Andoni Iraola remained coy on Liverpool’s plans to sign Bradley Barcola with no deal official yet, but is hopeful of “good news” in the club’s winger search.
Liverpool are known to be targeting at least two new signings before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with a deal agreed in principle for left winger Barcola.
But despite a £120 million deal being in place, Iraola was still unable to comment on the situation in his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference.
“As you know, we are trying to sign in that position,” he told reporters at the AXA Training Centre.
“Also as you know, we cannot talk about players that, right now, are not ours.
“But it’s a position we are trying to improve or trying to fill, because we don’t have the numbers.
“I hope we can have good news soon, but we’re still not there.”
After Barcola’s signing is finalised, Liverpool will continue to push for a new right winger, after contact over PSG‘s Ibrahim Mbaye and Crystal Palace‘s Ismaila Sarr as well as two bids for Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025.
However, when asked about his confidence in bringing in the numbers he needs, Iraola insisted he was still in the dark exactly how his squad will look on September 2.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. We have to be patient, even myself, for another five days and then we will know,” he continued.
“I will be comfortable on September 2, when they tell me: ‘OK, this is who we are, these are the options we have’.
“Then we can really start thinking with the players in these positions.
Andoni Iraola, Head Coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 25, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola, Head Coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 25, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“I have in my head what I want. We’ve been talking since the beginning with the club and they also know what we want. Then it’s a matter of closing the deals.”
Liverpool could still feasibly line up further signings, including in midfield following the sale of Curtis Jones to Inter Milan, but there is no indication they have plans to do so at this stage.
Instead, they will remain open to market opportunities, with Iraola admitting: “If there’s an opportunity on the last day and you think ‘OK, it improves us’, let’s take it.”
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool players stand for a moment of applause in memory of Kevin Keegan, who passed away in July after his battle with stage four cancer, before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (L-R) Rio Ngumoha, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Milos Kerkez. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez challenges Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)