Andoni Iraola may need to exceed the £100 million mark for the first time in his managerial tenure if he wishes to land a reported Liverpool target. The Spaniard has already brought in Victor Munoz from Osasuna this summer, but has yet to add further new faces.
The absence of activity following the capture of the Spain international is not due to a shortage of targets, as the Reds have been connected with players throughout their defence, midfield and attack.
Amongst the players the Premier League outfit have been linked with, Yan Diomande has received guidance should he leave RB Leipzig this summer, while the Lille president has suggested an asking price for Ayyoub Bouaddi. We examine the latest developments emerging from Anfield.
Bouaddi valuation hint
Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has emerged as one of the standout talents of the World Cup following his eye-catching displays for Morocco. The 18-year-old has shone for the AFCON champions, prompting Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United to reportedly register interest in the youngster.
However, for those anticipating a potential cut-price deal, securing Bouaddi will be far from cheap, according to Lille president Olivier Letang. The 53-year-old referenced the recent departures of Elliot Anderson (£116m to Manchester City) and Sandro Tonali (£100m to Tottenham Hotspur) as a benchmark for what a club might need to spend to capture Bouaddi.
When pressed for a specific fee the club would expect for the midfielder, he told Eurosport: "How to answer that question... Have I spoken, brought up the subject, given a figure? No, never. You have to look at his level."
"How much have players like Anderson or Tonali been sold for, who are much older [23 and 26 respectively], but without room for improvement, so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18 years old."
Letang added: "Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now. He's already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has significant room for improvement. He's only 18 and has his whole future ahead of him."
Diomande transfer suggestion
The future of Yan Diomande remains deeply uncertain, though the latest counsel he has received could prove to be welcome news for Liverpool supporters. Former Reds favourite Joe Cole has urged the Ivorian to turn a deaf ear to advances from PSG, despite reports suggesting the winger has earmarked the French giants as his preferred destination should he depart RB Leipzig this summer.
"There's a lot of top-level wingers in world football right now, but Diomande is as good as I've seen; he's so explosive," Cole said, via Paddy Power. "My advice to him as a young player is, don't bother going to PSG. Go to Liverpool because if they want you and there's a hole in the team to play, then they really need you."
"PSG don't need anybody, but maybe his heart is set on Paris. If that's the case and he backs himself, I've got no problem with that. But if Liverpool still want him, go out and convince him because I think that would be the move that suits him best."
The Reds have made clear to the Bundesliga club that they are prepared to pay £86m for Diomande - a verbal proposal that was turned down with Leipzig having previously indicated that a figure of £112m would be sufficient to secure his signature.
