Liverpool’s summer transfer business will be vital in giving Andoni Iraola the best chance possible of succeeding in the job over the next year and beyond.

The Reds splashed out in last summer’s transfer window, making several high-profile additions to the forward line, but without the results to show for it.

There have been plenty of questions surrounding the composition of the squad, not least as the marquee signings of last year rarely played a minute together on the pitch at the same time.

While work in the backline and midfield now needs to be the priority, and where most of the limited funds must go, there is one potential striker addition who could join Liverpool as a free transfer.

Liverpool Must Re-Sign Darwin Nunez

Recent reports from Mundo Deportivo have claimed that Darwin Nunez is open to a Liverpool return, while the striker’s future remains uncertain.

The Uruguay international left the club last year to join Al-Hilal, but was dropped from squad registration for the second half of the campaign after the club signed Karim Benzema.

That has led to suggestions that Nunez will leave with a mutual termination of his contract with the Saudi Pro League club, making him available as a free agent.

Newcastle, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid have been suggested as possible destinations, but the report adds that he would like a return to Liverpool.

It’s a move that makes total sense for the Reds, given the injury to Ekitike that will take a while to recover from, as well as the fitness of Alexander Isak that has come into question.

Nunez is familiar with the Premier League and Liverpool, meaning there would be little issue in settling in again, while the lack of a transfer fee for a player of his quality will always be viewed positively.

It’s a move that adds cover to a position that desperately needs it, while it doesn’t detract from the transfer budget available to invest in more pressing areas of the squad.

The switch would also make sense for the change in playing style that is expected over the coming months.

Nunez Is Perfect For Iraola

Nunez is a player who causes chaos, something that somewhat suited Jurgen Klopp’s football, but certainly didn’t work for Arne Slot in his time at Liverpool.

After showing glimpses of promise, but a lack of cutting edge, the forward left last summer, but a possible return makes sense from more than just a business perspective.

Liverpool are set to return to the pressing football that brought so much success before, a move to the chaotic football that has overwhelmed the Premier League in recent seasons.

While Nunez may not be a starter ahead of someone like Isak, he would bring the exact injection of energy that the team seems to be lacking.

Having an option who can make things happen is what Iraola would want, even if they are simply someone who can come off the bench for a cameo.

It’s unclear whether Liverpool will pursue such a deal, but it makes complete sense to do just that.

Newcastle have reportedly held talks to sign a Barcelona star just weeks after Anthony Gordon completed his move to the La Liga giants.

Despite enduring an underwhelming season with Newcastle, Gordon attracted plenty of interest heading into the summer transfer window.

In one of the quickest deals of the summer so far, the England international completed a move to La Liga giants Barcelona before jetting off to the World Cup.

The Magpies made a healthy profit on Gordon from what they paid to bring him to the club from Everton, and now they have plenty of money to reinvest in the squad.

There is no doubt Eddie Howe’s side needs reinforcements in the summer transfer window, after failing to qualify for Europe during the 2025-26 season.

Newcastle Eyeing Barcelona Star

According to a report from Team Talk, Newcastle are among seven Premier League sides who have held talks to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado ahead of the summer transfer window.

Monaco are working to complete a deal to secure his signature for a fee in the region of £20m, with the player keen on a move away from Barcelona to play regular first-team football.

It’s unclear whether the likes of Newcastle will now look to hijack a deal, but they have already held talks over a possible move.

It looks set to be a competitive race for the signature of Casado, described as ‘elite’, unless Monaco can quickly get a deal over the line.

Newcastle Could Struggle in Race

Unfortunately for Newcastle, they could struggle to attract the profile of player they are hoping for heading into the summer transfer window.

Failing to qualify for Europe was a bit of a disaster for the Magpies heading into the 2026/2027 season, especially when it comes to their recruitment.

Newcastle could also end up losing some of their key stars, with the likes of Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall linked with departures, while Gordon has already headed through the exit door.

Casado has interest from clubs playing in Europe, meaning Newcastle could be fairly far down the pecking order.

Both Manchester United and Aston Villa enjoyed successful seasons last term, which ultimately saw both qualify for the Champions League.

United, under the interim management of Michael Carrick, secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, which saw the former Red Devils midfielder earn a permanent deal. Meanwhile, Villa lifted the Europa League while also sealing fourth place in the top-flight.

Both clubs are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer, but they may have already been forced to seek alternative targets after fresh revelations involving Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

Gibbs-White expected to stay at Forest

According to the Daily Mail, Forest are expected to keep hold of Gibbs-White this summer despite interest from the likes of United and Villa, amongst others.

The report adds that the Reds are also likely to demand over £100million for midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has been subject to a bid from Manchester City, while United have been strongly linked with the Englishman in recent months.

Labelled as a “special player” by Forest manager Vitor Pereira, Gibbs-White scored 15 goals in the Premier League last season, while also netting on three occasions in the Europa League and registering a total of seven assists.

United and Villa don’t need Gibbs-White

Although both clubs would love to recruit a player of Gibbs-White’s quality this summer, United and Villa are already blessed in the attacking midfield department.

The Red Devils’ Bruno Fernandes was named Premier League Player of the Season after breaking the record for the most assists in a single 38-game campaign with 21. The Portuguese also scored nine league goals.

Meanwhile, Villa star Morgan Rogers also had a prolific campaign with 26 goal contributions across all competitions, including a goal in the Villans’ 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final.

Gibbs-White would prove to be a luxury, not a necessity for both teams, and an expensive one at that, with the Englishman’s contract at the City Ground valid for another four years.