Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has identified who he wants as his first signing at Anfield after taking over as manager.
The Spaniard has signed a two-year deal to take over from Arne Slot, who was sacked last week following a disappointing campaign in which the Reds finished fifth in the Premier League and without a trophy.
Now all attention turns towards bolstering the squad, with key players Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate all departing at the end of the season, and Iraola is ready to make some additions to get the squad back in competitive shape.
Liverpool Eyeing Alex Scott Deal
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
According to a report by Sports Boom, Iraola has identified Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as the man he wants to be the first signing of his Anfield revolution.
Scott, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, has enjoyed a sensational campaign with the Cherries, which has seen his reputation skyrocket, and a number of top clubs pay close attention to his contractual situation.
Bournemouth are desperate to keep hold of the 22-year-old, and are planning to offer him a new contract to reflect his status as a key player. However, it’s understood that Scott is open to a new challenge at this stage of his career, and a new deal at the Vitality Stadium is looking more unlikely.
Liverpool are paying close attention to the situation, and are considering making a move to test the resolve of Bournemouth when it comes to their asking price. It has been reported that he is valued as highly as £60m, but Liverpool are looking at a deal closer to £40m, according to Jamie Dickenson.
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Alex Scott Perfect for Liverpool Midfield
Last season Liverpool struggled with their midfield setup, and were regularly overrun despite having quality options like Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Jones has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, and Scott would come in as a direct replacement, bringing energy, quality, and great skill.
Depending on the price of the deal, it would be the perfect first signing for Iraola. Bringing in someone who knows his methods and tactics already will help with adaptation, and Liverpool would have a top young talent ready to make an impact.
Manchester United could yet add a brand-new striker to their ranks this summer, though this hinges on the future of Joshua Zirkzee, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils signed Benjamin Sesko for around £74 million last summer, and the Slovenian enjoyed a promising debut campaign at Old Trafford, netting 12 goals across all competitions. However, after Michael Carrick’s side qualified for the Champions League, the former RB Leipzig man will need genuine cover and competition next term.
Zirkzee, who started just five Premier League games last season and scored just two goals, is currently Sesko’s only competitor, but interest from teams in Serie A could ignite United’s search for a more productive centre-forward.
Multiple suitors have contacted the north-west club regarding the Dutchman’s situation, although it remains to be seen whether they will make a move for the former Bologna man.
Man Utd Could Sell Joshua Zirkzee This Summer
Zirkzee has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford since his move from Bologna in the summer of 2024.
He’s scored just nine goals in 75 appearances across all competitions, and has subsequently been relentlessly linked with an exit.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer guru Romano revealed that there is interest in the 25-year-old and that a sale on this front would likely prompt United back into the market for another striker.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
“There is some movement around the Manchester United striker,” he said.
“There is some interest again from Italy, and if Manchester United, from now to the end of the window, decide to let Joshua Zirkzee go with a big loss. Eventually, there could be movements for the Dutch striker. So let’s see what’s going to happen there.
At the moment, it’s about calls from clubs trying to understand the situation. But Zirkzee could be an interesting name to follow from now until the end of the window, depending on the conditions of the deal. Obviously, if Zirkzee goes, for Man United, that would mean adding one more striker, so one more player up front.
“Every single window there is movement, and then he ends up staying. Let’s see what’s going to be the case in this story, in this transfer window for the Dutch striker, who is appreciated by several clubs.
“Eventually, for Man United, it would be one more surprise because the striker position was not something they were prioritising in this window. The focus was more on left-back, eventually a midfielder. But if Zirkzee goes, the striker could be another position, a surprise position, to follow.”
While, as Romano alluded to, left-back is the priority, United will surely have a shortlist of striker targets up their sleeves. They will be prepared for the potential exit of Zirkzee and will likely already have initiated contact with certain clubs about players’ situations.
Celtic are set to accelerate their quest for another goalkeeper this summer as the transfer window edges towards a close.
The Hoops are reported to be exploring a move for Southampton shot-stopper Gavin Bazunu this week, with a £4 million deal also said to have been agreed with a different Championship target.
Martin O’Neill is in the market for competition to push current first choice Viljami Sinisalo, who is without a serious rival for his place following the departure of Kasper Schmeichel this summer.
The Finland international has done a respectable job since replacing Schmeichel between the sticks at the end of last season and the rise of the 24-year-old has led to speculation that Celtic could calm their search for another experienced goalkeeper.
Celtic ‘explore’ move for Southampton goalkeeper
However, that does not seem to be the case, with several goalkeeping targets emerging this week. In a latest roundup of transfer ongoings at Southampton, the Daily Echo claims that Celtic are ‘exploring’ a move for Bazunu, who is expected to leave St Mary’s Stadium. Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb are also linked and could provide competition for the Glasgow giants.
Bazunu was first choice for Southampton over the first half of the 2025/26 campaign but lost his place to Daniel Peretz in January. Bazunu was then sent on loan to Stoke City, but managed just six appearances due to a persistent thigh injury.
The 6ft 2in Republic of Ireland international is still just 24 years old, with his best years as a goalkeeper ahead of him. Bazunu has not yet featured in a matchday squad for Southampton this season, Tonda Eckert persisting with Peretz and back-up George Long.
Celtic have also been credited with serious interest in Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth. Similarly to Bazunu, the Rovers man’s departure from his club appears inevitable before the close of the window.
The Hungary international is in the final 12 months of his contract and Tony Mowbray has opened the door for him to join a ‘Champions League club’, amid links with Celtic. Reports from Hungary this week have claimed that the Hoops have agreed a £4 million fee with Blackburn Rovers for the deal.
Either arrival will have to oust Sinisalo from the starting XI, but that is a competition that O’Neill will relish. Speaking about the goalkeeper’s rise to first team star in March, the Celtic boss said: “I have been pleasantly surprised. It’s nice to see him try to take this chance in difficult circumstances for a goalkeeper regardless of what happens, with the shadow of what’s going on in the background.
“He’s been wanting to do well and he’s been thrown into some big games. Apparently he did well at Ibrox last season too.
“I’ve been really pleased with him, really pleased. That [being No 1 next season] may be a decision for someone else to make, but I’m really delighted with him.”
Sinisalo has started all three of Celtic’s fixtures so far this season, conceding just one goal and managing two clean sheets.
Transfer Verdict: Gavin Bazunu v BalazsToth
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
If Celtic are to add another goalkeeper to the squad before the end of the transfer window, it appears that their shopping will be taken to the Championship. Both Bazunu and Toth offer O’Neill very similar profiles.
At 24 years old, Bazunu would offer the Hoops a younger option compared to 28-year-old Toth. Both have similar levels of playing experience, although the latter’s 111 appearances in Hungary come at a lower level than the Southampton man, who has tasted the Premier League.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Both deals look easy to pull off for Celtic. Bazunu is surplus to requirements at St Mary’s Stadium and Mowbray appears ready to drive Toth to a new destination himself.
The verdict? If both offer ultimately the same product, Celtic must opt for the younger of the two in Bazunu, who has the potential to cement himself in the starting XI for seasons to come.
Inter Milan have reached an agreement to sign Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones for €35million (£30million), according to Fabrizio Romano.
Jones spent last season on the periphery of Arne Slot’s squad at Anfield, starting just 18 Premier League games for the Dutch manager. This has prompted the player and his representatives to explore potential moves, and Inter have subsequently emerged as the team to pry him away from his boyhood club.
A verbal agreement has been reached between the two clubs, although a consensus on personal terms is yet to be reached.
However, the deal is expected to materialise, with a medical for the player being planned.
Jones will leave Liverpool having made 228 appearances for the Merseysiders, winning two Premier League titles in the process.
