Andoni Iraola Liverpool 2026
REUTERS/Phil Noble via Action Images
Liverpool could be one of the busiest Premier League clubs when it comes to transfer business in 2027, for a few key reasons.
Firstly, Liverpool didn't complete some of the business they might have been expected to complete in the summer just gone, namely finding a specialist right-wing replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Bradley Barcola arrived in a big-money transfer, while Victor Munoz also joined, but both players have a preference to feature from the left-hand side rather than on the opposite flank.
The Reds had been linked with moves for Crystal Palace star Ismaila Sarr and Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh in the final days of the summer window, but neither move materialised.
Meanwhile, the Merseysiders look certain to add a new midfielder to their squad next year, having failed to replace Curtis Jones in the summer, after he completed a permanent move to Inter Milan.
With Alexis Mac Allister raising doubts over his long-term future at Liverpool after revealing there has been no progress over receiving a new contract offer from the club, it's no surprise that the club is already being linked with new central midfield options, including Monaco's Lamine Camara.
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, Bournemouth's Alex Scott and AS Roma's Manu Kone are also of interest to the Reds, as new sporting director Julian Ward considers the club's next move.
Liverpool's Midfield Targets:
Alex Scott
Manu Kone
Lamine Camara
Elsewhere, Ward must make a decision on the full-back positions with Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong yet to convince fans they are the long-term solutions for those positions, with loanee Ronald Araujo already starting ahead of the latter at right-back.
Liverpool could also face big decisions in the goalkeeping and centre-back positions should Alisson and Virgil van Dijk end up leaving Anfield in the summer when their contracts expire, although the Reds have already signed promising Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans.
Meanwhile, the latest reports out of Mexico suggest that they have tabled a £37m offer to sign Club Tijuana attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora, who was a regular in Mexico's starting XI at the 2026 World Cup.
Iraola Could Repeat Bournemouth Success With Mora
Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Mora isn't even 18 years of age yet, he turns it next week, but what he has achieved in his career already shows how good he is and why he is of interest to some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
The attacker already has 13 caps for Mexico and has made 62 first-team appearances for Club Tijuana, already becoming an important player for club and country.
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Mora's Club Tijuana Record
Appearances
Starts
Minutes
Goals
Assists
It's quickly becoming obvious that Mora is a generational talent, and that he knows where the goal is having already netted an impressive 15 goals in just 39 starts for his club.
Iraola has previous with getting the best out of exciting teenagers, with Eli Junior Kroupi breaking records last season at Bournemouth when he scored the most goals by a teenager in their debut Premier League season.
The Frenchman ended the campaign with an impressive 13 goals in 33 top flight appearances for the Cherries and had it not been for an injury suffered during the summer, it would have been no surprise to see bigger Premier League clubs make concrete contact to take him away from the Vitality Stadium.
Sometimes it can be difficult for young players to make an impact in a new country, but Iraola clearly gave Junior Kroupi an environment he was comfortable in and a system that allowed him to thrive.
That example will be a green flag for Mora when choosing his next club and, while there will be more pressure on his shoulders to perform at a big club like Liverpool, he is already living up to expectations for his club and while representing his country in the fierce atmosphere of the Azteca.
Brazilian coach Andre Jardine has raved over the teenager previously.
He said: “I’ve dedicated my life to working with young talent in youth systems, and it’s rare to see a player like him.
Mexico has a gem here, it’s not normal to see a player like that, he is an exceptional player.
"He possesses great character, is taking full advantage of his national team experience, and he’s undoubtedly special. I believe he embodies a bright future for Mexican soccer.”
The 17-year-old has everything to become Iraola's next Junior Kroupi if he does end up making the switch to Merseyside.
Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane