Liverpool are preparing for life under new manager Andoni Iraola after the former Bournemouth boss was announced as Arne Slot’s replacement earlier this month.

The Reds endured a disappointing Premier League title defence last season, scraping a fifth-place finish while failing to reach the latter stages of any cup competitions which subsequently cost Slot his job.

Alongside a change in the dugout, two long-term servants in Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson also departed at the end of the campaign after nine and ten seasons at the club, respectively.

The Reds have already signed winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna and saw an opening bid of around 100million euros for RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande rejected earlier this week.

Their transfer business isn’t expected to stop there though as Iraola looks to sculpt his new team in his vision.

Liverpool in talks with Wharton

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Another player strongly linked with a switch to Anfield this summer is Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton who is courting interest from a number of England’s top clubs.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are the midfielder’s “strongest admirers” and have “held talks” with the Englishman’s representatives, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix.

The 22-year-old, who reportedly wants to join, has been a sensation at Selhurst Park since his move from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024, playing 96 times and helping the Eagles to FA Cup and Conference League glory.

His rise has also coincided with a senior England debut, making four caps for the Three Lions before missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad this summer.

It is currently unclear exactly how much Wharton would cost, but £70million is the latest fee to be suggested with Palace expected to demand a significant figure.

Wharton is perfect for Liverpool

While Dominic Szobozlai was voted as Liverpool’s player of the season last term, elsewhere there were a number of inconsistent performers in the middle of the park, suggesting that the Reds’ core could do with a refresh.

Now with two-and-a-half years of experience at Premier League level, alongside a taste of senior international football, Wharton is clearly ready to play for one of Europe’s top clubs.

The 22-year-old would offer much-needed balance to the Liverpool midfield at the base, known for his ability to control the game and incredible football intelligence. Too many times last term, the Reds were caught out in possession, something Iraola will be looking to address immediately.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner described him as “one of the best midfielders in the world”, a significant claim for such a young player. However, there is no doubt that a move to a club of Liverpool’s stature could help Wharton’s trajectory continue to head upwards.

Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery reached a whole new level last season as they lifted the Europa League title, the club’s first piece of major silverware for 30 years.

The Villans also finished fourth in the Premier League and will compete in the Champions League this campaign once again.

Villa will be looking to continue their progress by adding new players in the transfer window. The club isn’t in need of wholesale changes, but a few tweaks here and there may help them ensure their trajectory remains headed upwards.

One of the positions that Emery may look to make a change in is goalkeeper, with long-term number one Emi Martinez’s future unclear.

Villa scouting World Cup star

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One goalkeeper whose name has been linked with Villa in recent days is Japan star Zion Suzuki, who has made headlines for his fascinating upbringing while competing at the World Cup.

The 23-year-old was born in Newark, United States to a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father and moved to Japan as a child.

Suzuki currently plays in Serie A for Parma and is becoming one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in Europe after an impressive campaign in Italy.

A broken hand kept the Japan international sidelined for four months, but either side of his mid-season layoff, the 23-year-old made 22 appearances, keeping six clean sheets and has become Japan’s outright first-choice.

According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Premier League clubs are starting to show “great interest” in Suzuki, with Aston Villa known to have scouted the goalkeeper, while Leeds United are “also gathering information”.

Is Martinez’s time at Villa over?

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It looked as though Martinez would be leaving Villa Park last summer, especially after the Argentine was left out of a matchday squad to face Crystal Palace last August amid interest from Manchester United.

In the end, the goalkeeper stayed at Villa and went on to help the club lift the Europa League. Once again though, the 33-year-old’s future is unclear.

Having signed for the Villans from Arsenal in 2020, Martinez has played a key role in the club’s progress from relegation fodder to top-four finishers and trophy winners over the past six years.

The goalkeeper’s stock rose tremendously after helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar three-and-a-half years ago but he remained at Villa.

Now though, it feels like the shot stopper’s time in the West Midlands has come to a natural end and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Villa recruit a new number one and allow Martinez to depart for a fresh opportunity.

Tottenham Hotspur could reluctantly sell four of their best young players after a decision made by Roberto De Zerbi ahead of next season.

It was expected that Tottenham would make some big moves in the summer transfer window to back Roberto De Zerbi after he kept the club in the Premier League, but ENIC have gone into overdrive and are showing huge ambition.

They have already announced two genius low-cost signings in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, who have joined the club on free transfers, while also confirming the £52m signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion.

With Ben Davies and Pedro Porro also signing new contracts to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, De Zerbi now appears to be satisfied with his defensive options heading into next season.

Now, attention has turned to the midfield and the attack, with it being suggested by top Spurs source Paul O’Keefe that the club want to complete seven signings this summer.

Next they are looking to sign at least one central midfielder, as well as a left-winger, right-winger and a centre-forward.

Tottenham are already pushing hard to bring in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United with the player open to a move, while they are also showing interest in Mateus Fernandes at London rivals West Ham United.

De Zerbi Prepared to Let Young Players Leave

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According to O’Keefe, Tottenham could lose some of their best young players this summer.

The additions of Senesi and Van Hecke already suggest that De Zerbi is ready to go with experience in his backline, which has raised doubts over the future of returning loanee Luka Vuskovic.

The 19-year-old Croatian has been the subject of three bids from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, with the player said to be keen on the move.

The teenager might not be the last potential exit for a youngster however, with O’Keefe claiming on X that De Zerbi has already decided that he wants senior professionals and that the likes of Vuskovic, Lucas Bergvall, Mathys Tel and Pape Matar Sarr are unlikely to get many minutes next term.

While Tottenham are unlikely to sell all of those players, their resolve could be tested if serious bids are submitted.

Tottenham Must Not Neglect the Future

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While the short-term is obviously hugely important for Tottenham as they look to surge back up the Premier League and compete at the right end of the table again, they also need to consider their future as well.

Players like Archie Gray, Bergvall and Vuskovic were signed because the club believed they could be important players for many years, and it would be a long-term risk to cast those individuals aside or make them unhappy now.

De Zerbi needs to find a balance and a blend of youth and experience to ensure Tottenham can keep hold of their best youngsters, rather than seeing players like Vuskovic seek a move elsewhere to play regularly.