Liverpool are preparing a bid for a defender this summer, according to Sportsboom, as the club eye a solution to some issues in the backline.

The Reds are keen on adding some fresh faces to the team, having struggled over the past campaign with injuries and a slow possession-based style that never gripped the supporters.

Andoni Iraola’s appointment should help change the latter, with a switch to a new style that will require some new players and plenty of energy to execute his game plan.

The signings of Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz certainly do that, but there is still more work to do, not least after the exit of key stars such as Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate.

As the search goes on for other potential arrivals, an offer is now being prepared for one of Liverpool‘s transfer targets.

Liverpool Ready Andrei Ratiu Bid

While talks are ongoing for Liverpool to sign Yan Diomande, in a deal that appears quite complicated, attention has also been set on other possible arrivals.

Right-back is an area for potential improvement, and Sportsboom reports that the club are preparing a bid for Rayo Vallecano star Andrei Ratiu to help rectify any concerns in that position.

The report described the 28-year-old as “highly-rated”, after an impressive campaign with the Spanish side saw them reach the Conference League Final where they fell to defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

It’s unclear exactly how much Liverpool are willing to table for Ratiu, though it’s claimed that the asking price for the star will be anywhere in the region of £25 million to £30 million.

A contract extension last November makes a deal difficult, as the Romania international has his future at Rayo secured until 2030, but hope remains that Liverpool can tempt the club to part ways with the star defender.

In doing so, Iraola may finally have a solution to the Reds’ ongoing right-back concerns.

Liverpool’s Right-Back Solutions

Right-back proved to be a problem position for Arne Slot last season, after Liverpool lost long-serving star Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.

While Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong were viewed as the long-term successors, injury issues for both mixed in with concerns over form to make for an awkward spell on the flank for the Reds.

Slot tried to remedy this with the use of Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai, but that removed the pair from their more favoured positions in the middle of the pitch.

In signing a right-back this summer, Liverpool could solve those concerns for the new head coach right away, but that leaves another dilemma.

The question then surrounds what the future holds for Bradley and Frimpong. The pair may be in line for reduced game time, and three players for one position appears to be a bit over the top.

It may be tough to sell either of them as well. So perhaps for now, Liverpool would be safer sticking with their current options before spending yet more money in the market.

Tottenham are said to be leading Manchester United in the bid to land West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer. The young midfielder is at the centre of one of the transfer sagas of the summer in the Premier League, having had a superb campaign of last for the Hammers.

West Ham’s relegation only confirmed that Fernandes’ future would be elsewhere, and the Iron are said to be asking for big money to sell their midfield talent. United and Spurs are now doing battle for the Portugal international’s signature, with the former needing to replace Casemiro, while the latter have allowed Yves Bissouma to leave at the end of his contract.

The race to land Fernandes has been hotting up this week, and according to one journalist, it is Spurs who are leading the race thanks to an ‘aggressive approach’.

Spurs leading the Fernandes charge

via Reuters

Speaking on The United Stand, the Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan said: “Obviously there is the situation with Fernandes at West Ham, who they really like. But what I’ve heard recently is Spurs have come in, and Spurs are surprisingly, and not just with United, but across the Premier League, how it was described to me, is that they have been really aggressive with the amount of money they are willing to spend.

“I don’t know if that’s nearly getting relegated frightening the life out of them, they have a manager now who is really forthright, who will look to get his own way. I know that when he got in at the door, it was on his terms. So maybe what we are seeing now is ‘I’ll keep you in the Premier League, but you’ve got to back me in the summer.’

“My information is that Spurs are already at the higher end of what United are happy to pay for him (Fernandes). There is still a belief that he wants to come and play for United, but you know as well as I do, it’s not just players, there are agents involved, and it tends to be that the player goes to whoever is offering the most money.”

Fernandes could be cheaper than Tonali

The defining aspect for Spurs is that they have already tried to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali for £75million, only to see their bid rejected. The Magpies are said to want £80-£90million for the Italian this summer, so for Spurs, it’s logical for them to go and offer £75million for Fernandes if they believe he is a close second in terms of their targets this summer.

West Ham are reportedly demanding at least £70million in any case, and the United interest is always going to drive up the price. As for United, they seem to have a set price in mind, and the Tottenham interest might end up making Fernandes a player they move on from.

Ian Wright and Patrick Vieira weren’t impressed with Jesse Marsch’s comments after Canada’s defeat to Switzerland at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

After a draw against Bosnia and a 6-0 rout of Qatar, Canada went into their third and final group game against Switzerland knowing a draw or better would see them qualify for the knockout rounds as group winners.

However, they were unable to get the result they needed as Switzerland picked up all three points. Promise David’s 76th minute goal wasn’t enough for Les Rouges as they suffered a 2-1 defeat, condeming them to a second-place finish in Group B.

Jesse Marsch Speaks Out After Switzerland Defeat

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

A win for Canada would have seen them contest their last 32 match in front of their own fans in Vancouver. They have missed that opportunity, though, and will now have to travel to Los Angeles.

The 52-year-old expressed his disappointment at not being able to play their last 32 match in Canada. He told ITV: “It’s been awesome [playing in Canada]. And that’s the disappointment. We just want to continue the energy that’s taken place here in Canada.

“You know, I’ve been through these World Cups, and I’ve been through different big moments in my career. And I know when you get one big win, building on that is so important. And so, I’m disappointed we weren’t able to get the win or draw today to keep us here.

“I’m so thankful for the energy and the country, and certainly in the stadium here today, but we’re going to go to LA. It’s probably going to be an away crowd, it’s going to be a little tougher, but we still want to electrify our country and play really well down there and go after it still.”

It was hoped that Canada’s star player, Alphonso Davies, would play his first minutes at the tournament. The Bayern Munich ace has not yet featured for his nation in the tournament as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He was named on the bench once again for the game against Switzerland, but he did not make his way onto the pitch.

Speaking about his decision not to sub Davies on, despite Canada needing a goal, Marsch said: “Alphonso will be ready. We thought about Alphonso, but we’re just trying to manage him and not put him in a situation where we felt like he’ll be in danger. But he should be ready for the next match.”

Peter Cziborra via Reuters

Wright wasn’t impressed with Marsch’s post-match interview, saying he sounded a bit ‘performative’.

Wright said: “It doesn’t make sense that you’ve got the opportunity, to play a game, win a game, and stay in your country, where you’ll have the fan’s support. And then he’s talking about how much he believes in this team and the heart of this team. They should have had that at the start of the game so that they could stay here and have a better chance.

Duncan Ferguson couldn’t understand why Davies did not play any minutes. The Scotsman said: “He’s on the bench, if he’s on the bench so he can put him on can’t he?”

While Vieira also questioned how much Marsch wanted Canada to play their last 32 match in Vancouver. He said: “If you really want to stay in Vancouver, you would have approached the game in a different way. If Davies is fit, he has to play 15 minutes or half-an-hour.

“You need to give him some game-time for him to be ready for the next game. He can’t start. If he didn’t come on today, then it will be very difficult for him to start. Or that will be a massive gamble on his side.

Canada now face a very tough path to the World Cup final. They will play their last 32 match on Sunday, June 28, with South Korea their likely opponents.