Andoni Iraola could turn to a familiar face as he looks to add a new attacker to his Liverpool front-line this summer. Iraola is just getting his feet under the table at Anfield, but he will already be evaluating which parts of his squad need strengthening ahead of his first season in charge.

The Reds will be expecting to be in the title conversation next season after a disappointing second season under Arne Slot that ended up costing the Dutchman his job. Big investment last summer filled this Liverpool squad with attacking talent, and fans want to see this team play attacking football. Iraola specialises in direct, attacking football, but he may feel he needs a couple of extra tools to get his new team playing the way he wants them to.

Liverpool eye move to sign Rayan from Bournemouth

Iraola is reportedly looking back to his old club to help with attacking reinforcements at Liverpool. According to Sport Witness, Rayan is a potential target, with the Brazilian having enjoyed a superb end to the season after joining Bournemouth in January.

The 19-year-old, described as “electric” by BBC pundit Ashley Wiliams this season, scored five and assisted twice in 15 Premier League appearances, helping the Cherries land a Europa League berth. The young winger has a unique strength and power for his age, and there is real excitement over what he will develop into given how easily he has taken to the Premier League already.

AFC Bournemouth paid £35million to sign Rayan in January, and there is no telling what they will ask for to sell the young winger now, although he is understood to have a £130million release clause that kicks in in the January transfer window. He is one of the most exciting young talents to have arrived in the Premier League in recent years, and he is under contract until 2031. Rayan is already valued at £51.8million by Transfermarkt.

Iraola has spoken glowingly about Rayan in the past

Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Iraola is a fine developer of young players, and while everyone at Bournemouth was busy getting carried away with Rayan, the new Liverpool boss has always focused on the development of the attacker.

After Rayan’s first goal, the Spaniard said: “I think he’s still in the process of adaptation and he needs to learn a lot and we need to learn a lot from him. To see him in different positions, in different scenarios.

“But if he does this process while adding numbers like the other day with the assist, like today with the goal, I think he’s a player, if we can provide him spaces and situations to go one against one against the defenders, he will produce a good offensive threat.”

Manuel Neuer has now featured in five World Cups after starting for Germany in their opening 2026 game against Curacao. But he still appears to be unsure about some of FIFA’s rules.

The veteran shot-stopper remains Julian Nagelsmann’s number one in between the sticks despite now being 40 years old and suffering many injuries in recent years. While he had very little to do against the World Cup newcomers on Sunday evening, Neuer did become part of history.

He became the first man to ever concede a goal against the smallest country in the competition’s long history. It’s a record he’ll want to forget quickly, and a 7-1 victory will go a long way towards that.

Manuel Neuer Goes Against Strict Kit Rules

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One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Neuer will hope to avoid punishment after going against FIFA’s guidelines not once, but twice during the dominant win.

It would be extremely easy for fans to miss the regulations he broke. Neuer disobeyed FIFA Law 4, which states players must wear full-length or short-sleeved shirts. Cutting or altering sleeves in any way is not allowed. The German ‘keeper’s top had clearly been cut, made obvious by the frayed nature of his shorter sleeves.

That would be slightly easier to get away with than the second violation. FIFA don’t allow players to wear an undershirt which is a different colour to the shirt they’re wearing. Contrasting with the green goalkeeper top, the Bayern Munich man donned a white layer underneath.

It’s unlikely Neuer will be retrospectively punished for the offences against Curacao, but he may now be watched closely by officials in his country’s next matches. A referee will often tell a player to go and change when a kit violation is spotted, but that didn’t happen on this occasion.

Neuer Delighted With World Cup Return

The 2014 World Cup winner actually decided to hang up his gloves after Euro 2024, which was held in his homeland. But he ultimately reversed that decision to play under Nagelsmann this summer.

The clash against Curacao marked the 40-year-old’s 20th World Cup appearance, and he claimed to be ‘overjoyed’. Speaking after the huge win, the revolutionary sweeper-keeper stated:

“It was certainly very special. It makes me incredibly proud to be playing for the national team again, to be out on the pitch with this squad, and to be playing in my fifth World Cup. I am overjoyed about it.”

Manchester United have already made one move in the summer transfer window, agreeing a deal to sign central midfielder Ederson from Atalanta for a fee in the region of £38million.

The Brazilian, a late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad following an injury, will undergo a medical in North America this week, ahead of the deal being announced.

Another central midfielder is likely to follow him to Old Trafford, with new manager Michael Carrick keen to bring in at least two, following the exit of Casemiro at the end of his contract in the north west.

New midfield name emerges on Man Utd transfer list

via Reuters

Mateus Fernandes has been heavily linked with a move from Wesrt Ham united, following their relegation to the Championship, with the likes of Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali and Aurelien Tchouameni also in the reckoning.

But a name has emerged from the start of the World Cup to – Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The talented 18-year-old made his World Cup debut against Casemiro on Saturday night, outshining the departing Manchester United man and proving he has the capabilities already, at such a tender age, to replace the veteran Brazilian at Old Trafford.

Bouaddi stood out in an impressive Morocco side, helping the African Cup of Nations winners to a 1-1 draw against the Selecao, although they may feel they should have picked up all three points.

Bouaddi enjoyed a 91% passing accuracy during the contest, with 100% of his passes in the final third being accurate – something that will not go unnoticed.

He showed he can do both the attacking side and the defensive side though, with six ball recoveries and five interceptions, while he also won nine duels on the night.

GIVEMESPORT reported at the start of June that United had shown an interest in the teen star, who plays his football for Lille in Ligue Un, monitoring his situation as he himself refused to rule out a move away from France this summer.

Bouaddi price tag may go up during the World Cup

Bouaddi, who has been described as ‘elite’, may only be 18 but has completed his third season of first-team football with the Ligue 1 team, and is considered to be one of the brightest midfield talents in the world.

United have tracked his performances this season, scouting him during a number of matches and could now make a move to sign him this summer. His opening performance at the World Cup may add some figures onto his price tag, which has already been touted by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano that interested clubs will need “around €60million to €70million to strike a deal”. The Manchester Evening News described him as “the most exciting player of the tournament so far” and Lille will be “braced for offers” this summer if he continues along the same path during the tournament.