The Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool has begun, and the new boss is set to be backed with a few more signings as he embarks on his first season. Some targets might have caught the club's eye after their performances at the World Cup.
Focus now turns to the Premier League with the World Cup concluded. Liverpool have only welcomed two additions so far this summer: Victor Munoz, who was on the winning Spain side though he didn't play a minute, and Jeremy Jacquet after a £60million deal with Rennes in January. However, with big names like Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate departing, more reinforcements will be necessary.
Bradley Barcola
Securing a successor to Salah is Liverpool's top priority, and France forward Bradley Barcola continues to be linked with a move to Anfield. The PSG winger starred for Les Bleus, often ousting stars like Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki from Didier Deschamps' starting XI, and scored three times during the tournament. It's believed that Barcola would cost more than £100million. Despite this, The Athletic has reported that Liverpool are closely monitoring his situation. Barcola has two years remaining on his contract and the consensus is that he will leave this summer, though the Reds would likely face competition from other European giants.
Ferran Torres
Every World Cup final needs a hero, and this year's was Spain and Barcelona winger Ferran Torres. The 26-year-old smashed home the winner in New Jersey after extra time, securing a 1-0 victory. Whilst an entire nation hails him, at club level Torres' future is uncertain. Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona would offload him in the coming months. With Liverpool after a winger, the ex-Manchester City man could fit the bill, albeit the rumours out of France that the Reds are set to go head-to-head with PSG for his £40m signature are baseless.
Ibrahim Mbaye
Senegal cruelly exited the World Cup, taken to extra time by Belgium and dumped out after a 125th-minute penalty by Youri Tielemans. But Ibrahim Mbaye dazzled. The 18-year-old PSG winger scored against France in the group stages and showed flair out wide, starting in his country's 5-0 win over Iraq. At just 18, he is not yet proven, but neither is a player like Rio Ngumoha, who many would like to see given a starting berth by Iraola. Reds fans are used to seeing Senegalese talent thrive at Anfield, and L'Equipe reports that Mbaye could cost between £34m and £42m, which could look like a real bargain.
Jarell Quansah
Liverpool will need defensive additions with Konate departing and Virgil van Dijk slowing down. They could look to one of their former academy stars. Jarell Quansah's World Cup was far from perfect—his red card against Mexico in the round of 16 was a rash challenge—but the 23-year-old England defender, sold to Bayer Leverkusen last summer for £35m, caught the eye against Panama and looked composed at right-back versus France. Quansah is versatile, knows what it takes to play for the Reds, and would return a much more seasoned professional. If Anfield chiefs wait a year, they will reportedly have a £56.2m buy-back clause to activate.
Maxim De Cuyper
Left-back could be another position of concern for Iraola, given that Robertson has left and Milos Kerkez looked vulnerable at times last season. Signing another left-sided full-back who won't break the bank to rotate with Kerkez, should Kostas Tsimikas prove surplus to requirements, may be on the agenda. Belgium's Maxim De Cuyper was linked with a move to Anfield before he signed for Brighton, and he stood out for his national team at the World Cup, starting five games in their run to the quarter-finals. He would be cost-effective and has Premier League experience.
