Liverpool have opened talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers for midfielder Joao Gomes and registered interest in Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, as newly appointed head coach Andoni Iraola shapes his squad following a dismal 2025/26 campaign that ended in a fifth-place Premier League finish and a club-record twenty defeats.
The summer overhaul at Anfield is moving quickly. Following a difficult season under Arne Slot, the club turned to Iraola to rebuild the squad. The Basque manager stepped down from his post at Bournemouth after a successful three-year stint that elevated the Cherries from mid-table status to European qualification. According to BBC Sport, Iraola revealed that discussions with Liverpool moved rapidly after the season concluded in May.
“It happened quite fast. Honestly, yes it was true that I was talking with some clubs. I think it was the first or second week after the season ended. Liverpool contacted me, and it didn’t take a lot.”
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool Head Coach, via BBC Sport
Rebuilding the Frontline and Pursuing Target Wingers
Strengthening the attacking department stands as a primary objective for Iraola this summer, particularly as the club searches for options on the flanks. Early efforts to secure Yan Diomande failed, prompting the recruitment team to shift attention toward alternative targets in France and beyond.
The 24-year-old Frenchman carries an asking price around the €40m (£34m) mark, though Paris Saint-Germain has also made the attacker a primary summer target.
Concurrently, Yahoo Sports noted via reporting on X from journalist Ben Jacobs that Liverpool sit in pole position to land Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The 23-year-old French international made 49 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. Barcola’s contract runs through the summer of 2028, presenting a tough negotiation for a cut-price fee.
Midfield Recruitment and the Joao Gomes Pursuit
Beyond the wide areas, Liverpool have opened formal talks to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.
Andoni Iraola Press Conference | Liverpool's Pre-Season US Tour
Gomes is reportedly eager to leave Wolves following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. Analysts point to his intense work rate and ability to press high up the pitch as qualities that align directly with Iraola’s tactical system.
Contract Situations and Midfield Stability
While new faces are discussed, the club is also managing internal contract timelines. Alexis Mac Allister remains under the five-year deal he signed upon arriving in the summer of 2023, leaving two years remaining on his current terms. Yahoo Sports Canada cited reporting from BBC Sport’s Aadam Patel clarifying that Mac Allister is not currently in active discussions regarding an extension, amid lingering links to Real Madrid following a testing 2025/26 campaign.
However, club sequencing suggests stability. Dominik Szoboszlai, whose contract likewise runs until 2028, is currently in talks over improved terms, while Ryan Gravenberch signed a new deal in May. Observers expect formal movement regarding Mac Allister’s contract to materialize over the course of the upcoming 2026/27 season as performances stabilize under the new coaching staff.
Pre-Season Tour and the Manager’s Core Mandate
Liverpool travelled to Chicago on Monday to begin their United States pre-season tour. The schedule opens with a friendly against Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, followed by matches with Wrexham in New York and Leeds United in Chicago.
Photo: footballfancast.com
Among the travelling squad is forward Hugo Ekitiké, who scored 17 goals in 45 appearances during his debut campaign on Merseyside. Although an Achilles injury will sideline Ekitiké for the first six months of Iraola’s tenure, the 24-year-old made the trip to familiarize himself with the manager’s tactical expectations.
“For me now, it is about creating a very difficult team to beat,”
Photo: sports.yahoo.com
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach
“The team that I envisage now, that I see and think of – if we become that team – I think we are going to be successful.”
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach
“At the end, people just want to see the team play well and deliver good results. I know this is 90% of my job.”
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach
With pre-season fixtures underway and transfer discussions advancing across multiple fronts, Iraola’s immediate focus remains on defensive structure, physical conditioning, and restoring competitive momentum before the Premier League campaign kicks off.
