Liverpool have made a move to hire Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they consider their options around Arne Slot, according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Liverpool ended a tumultuous Premier League campaign 25 points behind champions Arsenal, in what has to go down as a poor defence of their 2025 league title.

The Reds were affected by situations happening on and off the pitch, with Jota’s tragic death prior to the season starting understandably having a huge impact on the club and his teammates.

On the pitch, Slot had to do without record signing Alexander Isak for much of the season due to injury issues, while another big signing in Florian Wirtz took time to get used to the demands of English football.

Liverpool chiefs are said to be ready to give Slot next season to improve matters on the pitch with credit in the bank from winning the league title in his first season in charge at Anfield, but there are likely to be big changes on Merseyside this summer.

Two big dressing room personalities in Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are already confirmed to be departing, while no new contract agreement has been reached for Ibrahima Konate yet, with his deal due to expire next month.

Sky Sports: Liverpool ‘Make Move’ for Andoni Iraola

According to Sky Sports Italy, the interest in hiring Andoni Iraola is ramping up.

The Spaniard led Bournemouth to Europa League football in the Premier League this season, weeks after he announced he would be leaving the south coast outfit this summer when his contract expired.

Reports in recent days have suggested that Serie A giants AC Milan are keen to bring the 43-year-old to Italy to replace Max Allegri, with the San Siro outfit also resigned to playing Europa League football next season despite spending most of the season in the Champions League spots in the Italian top flight.

Milan aren’t the only club interested in his services, according to Sky Sports Italy, with Bayer Leverkusen and two Premier League clubs, Crystal Palace and Liverpool, also making moves for him.

Liverpool Move for Iraola Could Happen in Future

According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, any move for Iraola by Liverpool will depend on the club sacking Slot.

The Reds are said to have been given a ‘glimmer of hope’ after the Spaniard’s negotiations with AC Milan, as he appears to be ready to take his time on deciding his next club.

The Italian reporter has also suggested that the talks over Iraola would be for the future, rather than imminently, but the Merseysiders may well risk losing him to another big club now if they decide to wait.

All the signs are that Slot will carry on for now, but Liverpool are clearly sounding out their options for their next manager.

Iraola is one of the most promising up-and-coming managers in European football after the incredible job he has done with Bournemouth, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp labelling him as being an ‘elite’ coach.

Aston Villa are keen to swoop for a Manchester City player if one of their Europa League heroes moves on this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Unai Emery’s side won their first piece of European silverware since 1982 with a 3-0 win over SC Freiburg last week. They also secured fourth spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Manchester City in their final game of the season.

Qualifying for the Champions League will give Villa greater wiggle room with the Premier League’s financial rules as they now plan to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

They are still facing the prospect of selling some big names, with Morgan Rogers one player who could leave the club. Arsenal are the latest side to express an interest in the England international.

Aston Villa target Man City goalkeeper James Trafford

Another player who could depart this summer is goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The 2022 World Cup winner is under contract at Villa Park until 2029 but was the subject of interest from Manchester United last summer.

The Red Devils opted to sign Senne Lammens in a deadline day deal with Martinez remaining at Villa. The goalkeeper was dropped by Emery as speculation mounted over his future but after the window shut he worked his way back into the squad. He kept a clean sheet in the Europa League final and played a total of 49 games in all competitions.

According to The Daily Mail, Man City goalkeeper James Trafford is Villa’s number one target if Martinez departs this summer.

Trafford joined City 12 months ago and looked poised to be their new number one. However, he has found himself playing second fiddle this season after Pep Guardiola made a late summer swoop for Gianluigi Donnarumma, as the ex-AC Milan star made a surprise exit from European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Any move for Trafford could be complicated by his £100,000-a-week wages.

Aston Villa eyeing a busy summer

Villa have this week emerged as contenders to sign Newcastle United star Harvey Barnes as Emery seeks further additions to his attacking options.

The Magpies player could be tempted by the lure of Champions League football, while his family are still based in the Midlands.

Meanwhile, there is also the possibility that a permanent deal is completed for Jadon Sancho. The ex-Borussia Dortmund man is out of contract at parent club Manchester United next month and would be available on a free transfer.

Harry Wilson, who is also set to be available on a free transfer, is another player of interest to Villa. The Welsh international has not penned fresh terms with Fulham and is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.

Ronald Koeman has named his final 26-man Netherlands squad for the 2026 summer World Cup, with Virgil van Dijk headlining.

Netherlands, who are yet to win the World Cup despite finishing runner-up on three occasions, have been placed in Group F for this summer’s tournament.

They will open up their campaign on June 14 when they face Japan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They will face Sweden four days later in Houston before concluding their group stage with a clash against Tunisia in Kansas City.

Oranje will fancy their chances of becoming world champions for the first time this summer and, when you look at their squad, they certainly have a chance.

Goalkeepers

Koeman has chosen three goalkeepers with Premier League experience. Mark Flekken was Brentford’s starting goalkeeper for two seasons before departing for Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

He has been named in the squad alongside Robin Roefs, who enjoyed a fine debut season in England’s top tier with Sunderland, and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen. The latter has already picked up 27 caps for his country and is expected to be their starter this summer.

Defenders

Netherlands’ strength is arguably their defence. Van Dijk is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Premier League history and will be determined to lead his country to success. It will likely be his last attempt at World Cup glory.

Man City defender Nathan Ake features in the squad, as does Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven and Brighton & Hove Albion duo Jan Paul van Hecke and Mats Wieffer.

Denzel Dumfries is a menace going forward and features, while there’s also a spot for Chelsea’s talented youngster Jorrel Hato.

There’s no place for Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt. The 26-year-old, who has been capped 52 times by his country, has not played since November due to a back injury. Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong also misses out.

Midfielders

Frenkie De Jong was pivotal in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph this season. He is expected to start in the middle of midfield for the Netherlands this summer, alongside Man City’s Tijjani Reijnders and Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch.

Two midfielders from Serie A feature in Oranje’s squad: Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners and Atalanta’s Marten De Roon. There’s also a place for Quinten Timber, twin brother of Jurrien, and PSV star Guus Til.

Xavi Simons misses out after rupturing his ACL against Wolves in late April.

Forwards

While Netherlands are stacked in defence and midfield, they don’t quite have the same strength of depth going forward. Still, they have enough attacking quality to fire them to glory this summer.

Netherlands’ all-time top goal scorer, Memphis Depay, has been given a place in the squad. The 32-year-old, who now plays in Brazil with Corinthians, has hit the back of the net 55 times for his country.

Gakpo will no doubt start for his side this summer, if fully fit. He has an impressive strike record of 19 goals in 48 international games.

There’s also a place in the squad for Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey, West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert, Ajax’s Wout Weghorst, Roma’s Donyell Malen and Galatasaray’s Noa Lang.