Liverpool were linked with numerous top-level talent in the summer transfer window, but faltered when it came to pulling the trigger on most of those deals
Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola during the UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid
Andoni Iraola had a somewhat quiet first transfer window at Liverpool(Image: Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola's first summer transfer window as Liverpool boss saw him spend over £100million on one player for the first time in his career. However, fans were left wanting more in what was a relatively quiet summer in terms of incomings.
The £123m acquisition of Bradley Barcola was the club's second-biggest signing in history. Aside from the long-running saga of the Frenchman's arrival, there was a lack of business at Anfield, considering the exits of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
Spain international Victor Munoz was brought in early on as the first official signing for Iraola, who also introduced Jeremy Jacquet to the club after his £55m transfer was agreed in January. Liverpool failed to address deficiencies in certain areas of their squad despite being linked to a myriad of stars.
While some of those players have yet to get up and running this season, others have shown the form that first warranted a possible move to the Premier League giants. The ECHO takes a deeper look at the progress - or regression - the players Iraola missed out on have made so far.
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande was early on Liverpool's radar this summer before he eventually joined Real Madrid. The Reds put forth an £85million offer for the 19-year-old, which was rejected by RB Leipzig. The Premier League side cooled interest after he made it clear a move to Spain was his priority.
MADRID, SPAIN - 2026/09/12: Yan Diomande (Real Madrid CF) is seen in action during the LaLiga EA SPORTS 2026/2027 match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano.
Final score: Real Madrid 4-1 Rayo Vallecano. (Photo by Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande has yet to score for Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Despite the fanfare surrounding his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, Diomande hasn't taken like a duck to water in his return to La Liga. He's failed to score in eight games across all competitions, with just one assist to his name.
Ismaila Sarr
Liverpool's failure to acquire Diomande saw them seek other targets, with Crystal Palace star Ismaila Sarr emerging as a key option. The Reds' £50m bid for the Senegal star was swiftly rejected and despite Sarr's attempts to push through a move to Anfield, Iraola's side never returned with a second bid.
The 29-year-old only made his season debut against Lech Poznan in the Europa League before an eight-minute cameo in Palace's 0-0 draw against Leeds last week after sitting out the start of the campaign due to the transfer talk.
Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace is in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace at Elland Road in Leeds, United Kingdom, on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ismaila Sarr attempted to push through a move to Anfield in the final days of the window(Image: Getty Images)
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Yankuba Minteh
The Brighton winger emerged as another potential wide addition in August with the Reds having two bids rejected for the Gambian international. An agreement between the two clubs couldn't be reached over Minteh, who stayed a Seagulls player after the deadline.
The 22-year-old has yet to feature this season after suffering a leg injury in a pre-season friendly against Roma. The injury is set to keep him on the sidelines until November.
Lamine Camara
The circumstances behind Lamine Camara's failed transfer to Chelsea could spell good news for Liverpool in the future. The Reds were linked to the Monaco midfielder late in the window, but it was the Blues who ended up leading the race before a proposed move controversially fell through.
Despite the disappointment, it's been business as usual for the 22-year-old, who has played every minute of Monaco's first five games. They currently sit top of Ligue 1 with four wins and one draw.
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Ibrahim Mbaye
Ibrahim Mbaye is set to join Aston Villa
Ibrahim Mbaye joined Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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There was a point in the summer when it looked like the Reds were close to capturing a double deal for Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain. However, a deal for the Ivorian fell through and Aston Villa swooped in to sign the highly-rated teenager in a reported £47m transfer.
The 18-year-old has been eased into life at Villa, who have endured a tough start to the season with three Premier League losses suffered already. He's played just 97 minutes of football with 33 of those minutes coming in the league.
Ezri Konsa
Ezri Konsa signed with Arsenal last month after leaving Aston Villa in a £55m deal. However, the England defender was subject to interest from Liverpool before making the move to the Emirates.
After making his league debut for the Premier League champions against his former club, he's played 90 minutes in every match in the competition since, as William Saliba remains sidelined with a back injury.
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton
Liverpool reportedly held an interest in Adam Wharton(Image: Sebastian Frej)
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Having entered his third season at Crystal Palace, Adam Wharton remains a player who's been consistently linked with a move away from Selhurst Park. Much was made of Liverpool's lack of a midfielder with attributes Wharton possesses when it comes to controlling the tempo of a game.
Rumours swirled around a possible move to Anfield last month, but after a summer where Palace lost Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz, Wharton would remain in south London. He's been ever-present for new boss Pierre Sage this season with Palace sitting 15th in the table, after just one win in five games.
Rayan
Rayan was said to be another possible option in Liverpool's efforts to replace Salah. The Brazil international, 20, joined Bournemouth in January earlier this year and played a significant role in helping them catch European football, with five goals in 15 games.
It's been a slow start for the winger so far this season, as he's yet to score or assist in the Cherries' first five league games. He did get on the scoresheet in their impressive 2-1 victory away to Real Sociedad, marking the club's first appearance in the Europa League.
Alex Scott
Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth
Cherries star Alex Scott had numerous suitors this past summer(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Alex Scott was among the most in-demand players in the top-flight this past summer, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all reportedly holding an interest in the Bournemouth star. The 23-year-old's value was said to be at £100m by the Cherries, who had no desire to part ways with the midfielder.
He's remained a key part of the squad under new boss Marco Rose as the club have so far had a difficult start to the season, having gone the first five games of the season without a win.
Fikayo Tomori
Ronald Araujo was Iraola's sole defensive signing earlier this season, with the exception of Jeremy Jacquet, whose move to Anfield was already orchestrated months prior. AC Milan star Fikayo Tomori was linked with a return to the Premier League after Ruben Amorim deemed the ex-Chelsea star surplus to requirements.
The 28-year-old was left out of the squad for Milan's first two games of the season before Amorim reinstated him after Mattia Gabbia's injury. Despite returning to the bench, Tomori has yet to set foot on the pitch this season.
Endrick
Endrick of Real Madrid celebrates 1-1 during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid v Real Sociedad
Endrick has played four minutes of league action at Madrid this season(Image: Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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The Real Madrid star was reportedly among the options to replace Salah in the summer, but a move for the Brazil international never came to fruition. Endrick has played a bit-part role at Madrid since his 2024 arrival, which has continued this season under Jose Mourinho.
The 20-year-old has played just four minutes of football this season after returning to action earlier this month following a muscle injury. With his chances of minutes looking slim even when fit, he could be back on the radar of Europe's elite in 2027.