Andoni Iraola wants to bring the Bournemouth trio of Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan to Liverpool. – A total value according to Transfermarkt is close to 300 million euros.
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is already in talks with club bosses about potential newcomers to Anfield this summer. A well-informed journalist has revealed that the Spaniard would like to bring three of Bournemouth’s star players to the club – if the opportunity arose.
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The Merseyside giants wasted no time in appointing a successor to Arne Slot, who was sacked on Saturday after a very disappointing season. Liverpool finished without a trophy and barely managed a fifth place.
Iraola has given the Reds a clear yes to taking over. As details of his backroom team at Anfield emerge, Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday morning that a two-year contract is now in place.
Full focus on summer transfers
Once Iraola’s appointment is officially confirmed, Liverpool will turn their focus back to summer signings. The club needs both a rebuild to improve on this season’s disappointing performances and a new type of player to suit the Basque tactician’s intense style of play.
As a result, there is already a lot of speculation about which players Liverpool will try to sign.
When Daily Echo reporter Alex Smith assessed what Iraola wants to bring to Anfield, he revealed which players the Spaniard would like to pick from the “Cherries”.
“I think the three players Bournemouth know who will be considered this summer are Alex Scott, Junior Kroupi and Rayan,” Smith told ThisisAnfield.
“I would be surprised if we don’t see many newspaper reports in the next month or two that Liverpool are interested in one or more of these three.
Bournemouth fight back
TEAMtalk sources have made it clear that Bournemouth are ready to fight hard to avoid another summer of departures at the Vitality Stadium. The club will fight tooth and nail to keep their valuable talents.
This attitude is shared by Smith, who is confident that the “Cherries” will take a firm stance towards their stars. Scott (£60 million), Rayan (£87 million) and Kroupi (up to £100 million) will demand high transfer fees.
“But from what I’ve been told, they’re absolutely not for sale from Bournemouth’s point of view,” he added, before explaining:
“Rayan’s buyout clause does not come into force until next summer, and it is for 100 million euros. They hope to give a new contract to Alex Scott, and Junior Kroupi has no buyout clause.
Clubs are queuing up for the Bournemouth trio
As TEAMtalk exclusively revealed on Tuesday, the south coast club has put forward a new and improved contract offer in an attempt to tie Scott down long-term.
As things stand, the midfielder is yet to agree on terms and shows no immediate willingness to sign an extension. That could open the door to a summer transfer – with Manchester United and Chelsea among the suitors.
But Iraola’s move to Anfield means that Liverpool cannot be ruled out in the match either.
Along with Scott, attackers Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan are also attracting considerable attention. But the “Cherries” are determined to avoid another major squad change, similar to last year’s departures of Dean Huijsen, Antoine Semenyo and Illya Zabarnyi.
How Iraola’s team plays
Regardless, Smith says Liverpool can expect a new style of play under Iraola next season, and tells Liverpool fans what to expect.
“Both with and without the ball, they like to play with a lot of energy and intensity – that’s a characteristic of the team,” Smith explained.
“He usually lines up in a 4-2-3-1 with a six and an eight. The role of a tenor is also quite important in his system in terms of creativity.
“A lot of emphasis is placed on the eight and ten as quite creative roles in ball possession. But the main characteristic of the Bournemouth team is the pressure without the ball. That’s what has given him such good results with the team.
“A lot of the need for the striker and wingers to press high. They want to win the ball around the opponent’s box and create chances in transitions – creating opportunities and shots out of nowhere, really. It has been a real characteristic of his team.
Liverpool hero could return
With Iraola’s appointment expected to be official in the coming days, a well-informed journalist has revealed that a former Liverpool midfielder could join the backroom team – in what will be a well-received return to Anfield.
On the transfer front, a report claims that Iraola will ask Liverpool to make five signings this summer, with four more departures – as Ibrahima Konaté is also expected to be sold.
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