Liverpool will have to pay £130million to sign Bournemouth's Rayan, with the Cherries refusing to budge on the fee despite Andoni Iraola's connection to the player. The Reds boss is set for his first return to Bournemouth on Sunday, following a mixed start to his reign.
Iraola, who was appointed from Bournemouth, has inherited issues that hampered his predecessor Arne Slot, including an unbalanced squad and the challenge of getting the best out of big-money signings like Florian Wirtz, who continues to struggle to justify his price tag. Iraola defended the German playmaker this week, saying he was "very happy" with him and rates him "very highly."
Reds face £130m release clause for Rayan
According to ESPN Brazil, Rayan's £130m release clause becomes active in 2027, and Bournemouth will not negotiate below that figure, even for Iraola. The report adds that if the fee is not met, Rayan will remain at Bournemouth, where he is under contract until 2031.
The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool are highly unlikely to pay such a fee, having just spent £123m on Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. The Reds have been linked with the 20-year-old but have been told they cannot expect any favours because of Iraola's relationship with the player.
Genk chief surprised by Brughmans move
Meanwhile, a club executive has admitted his shock at the speed of Liverpool's move for one of their players. At the end of the transfer window, the Reds confirmed the £30m signing of goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Genk, who has been loaned straight back to the Belgian Pro League club for the season.
The teenager, who was also wanted by Real Madrid, is viewed as a potential long-term replacement for Alisson. Genk director of football Dimitri de Conde said via Sport Witness: "I knew he was on the radar of top clubs, that he'd even visited Real Madrid.
"And that he was one of the lads we hoped to get a handsome fee for at some point, to ensure the club's survival. But for it to happen that quickly and for that amount, I never saw that coming."
Brughmans has been ever-present this season for Genk, who sit ninth in the Belgian Pro League after six games.
