The transfer window opens this Monday, and Liverpool could have a busy summer in store after already getting some important business sorted. After ticking off the first big important task of their summer, Liverpool now get to embark on a summer of transfer upheaval. Andoni Iraola was appointed swiftly following Arne Slot's exit, and the club's task now is to give the new boss the players he needs.
The summer transfer window opens today, and there's a chance for some more early moves. The World Cup could complicate some conversations - or at least the speed with which deals can be wrapped up - but that might not be the case when it comes to Darwin Nunez.
Darwin Nunez - In
Uruguay striker Nunez left Anfield for Al Hilal last summer but looks set for an early return to Europe. A sensational Anfield return has been floated, though there are other potential options. Let's not beat around the bush here. Nunez's numbers at Anfield weren't at the level you'd want from a player bought for what was at the time a club record fee. However, expectations would be different were he to return on a free, as has been floated.
The former Benfica star has averaged a goal or assist every 120 minutes for Al Hilal, which is perfectly solid even if others have been more impressive since trading European football for the Saudi Pro League. Even after being dropped from the league squad, he scored a valuable brace in an AFC Champions League win over Al Wahda in February.
Nunez is in Uruguay's World Cup squad despite having last started for his country in 2025. Still just 26 years old, he can use the tournament as an audition if Iraola decides he wants to wait to make a more informed decision rather than taking a calculated early gamble.
Joel Ordonez - In
Nunez isn't the only South American at the World Cup who Liverpool may be keeping tabs on. Joel Ordonez was part of an Ecuador defence which conceded just five goals in 18 qualifiers and will hope to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2006.
The Club Brugge centre-back only turned 22 in April but has already been starring for club and country. He started each of the last eight World Cup qualifiers, with no opponent scoring against Ecuador while he was on the pitch, and played in all of Brugge's 10 Champions League matches.
Ordonez signed a contract extension in September so is unlikely to come cheap. However, with his ability to play at right-back as well as in the middle, he could be a great addition to first summer signing Jeremy Jacquet.
Jarell Quansah - In
While the Ordonez links have resurfaced, another more realistic move might be a return for Jarell Quansah. The centre-back was clearly not to Slot's liking but a change in the dugout could allow him a route back.
The England international's form for Bayer Leverkusen has earned him a World Cup call-up and could end up being just what he needed. Liverpool have a £70m buy-back option which will drop in 2027, though they may end up negotiating with his current employers.
With Ibrahima Konate leaving and Giovanni Leoni working his way back from serious injury, centre-back looks to be a key area beyond the Jacquet signing. Might a return for Quansah do the trick?
Curtis Jones - Out
The change in the dugout could ultimately save Jones' Liverpool career from going the way of Quansah. A summer exit was heavily rumoured while Slot remained in charge, but Iraola's arrival could provide him with a fresh start.
Inter Milan were the team showing the most acute interest in the academy graduate. Their interest isn't over by any means, and Jones may yet decide it's time to fly the nest.
A fee north of £30 million would likely be required, though team-mate Federico Chiesa indicated Jones has already asked him questions which suggest he's at least considering a departure. “Jones only asked me how life is in Italy. I told him you live very well and the weather is better than Liverpool,” the winger told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Federico Chiesa - Out
Sticking with Chiesa, the former Juventus man has been linked with a Serie A return on more than one occasion after struggling for regular Anfield minutes. In that same Gazzetta interview at the start of June, he was asked about potentially joining Como ahead of their Champions League debut next term.
"I'm open to anything; the important thing is to play. I'm not so presumptuous as to say I have to be a starter," the Azzurri international said. "I'm ready to fight for a place, anywhere. [Cesc] Fabregas is a top coach; no one would have ever imagined Como like this: a beautiful team to watch, too."
Chiesa, who is under contract until 2028, played just 318 league minutes last term. Even so, Liverpool could well secure a decent return on the £12.7m they paid Juventus to sign him in 2024.
