Liverpool are starting to ramp up their summer transfer plans following the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new manager earlier this month.

Liverpool’s desire to strengthen is no surprise for a few reasons, the main one being how underwhelming they were during the 2025-26 season, just one year after the won the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge.

Another is the fact that they have lost three big members of their dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate.

The Reds do have two left-back options in Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas, although it remains to be seen whether the latter will stay at Anfield or leave the club on loan or on a permanent basis this summer.

The Merseysiders may already have their successor for Konate too, given Jeremy Jacquet will link up with Liverpool this summer after they agreed a deal to sign him during the January transfer window.

One area Liverpool are already looking to strengthen is their frontline, with club chiefs pushing to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leizpig as Salah’s long-term replacement, having offered the player an important salary.

Inside Anfield, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, they are confident that the 19-year-old wants to join them, amid interest from Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Romano: Liverpool Hold Talks to Sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

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According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have now held talks with the agents of Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi over a switch to Anfield this summer.

While the Reds are focusing on strengthening their attack, it is appearing more and more likely as though there will be changes in midfield too.

There are doubts over the future of Alexis Mac Allister following a disappointing season for the Argentina international, while Ryan Gravenberch didn’t play to the same level as he did in 2024-25.

With Curtis Jones also looking likely to depart Anfield, there is room for at least one signing in the Liverpool engine room.

GIVEMESPORT sources revealed last week that Liverpool have a big appreciation for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who is valued at £100m by the Europa Conference League holders, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

Bouaadi is Way Better Than Mateus Fernandes

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Reports at the start of this month suggested that Liverpool were ready to hijack Manchester United’s talks to sign Mateus Fernandes from recently-relegated West Ham United.

The Merseysiders were described as being the team to watch in the race for the 21-year-old, although it does appear right now as though the Red Devils are in the box seat to land the young Portuguese star.

Liverpool would be signing a Fernandes upgrade in Bouaddi though, given how good he already looks at just 18 years of age.

Manchester United are in the middle of a major midfield rebuild, as they eye a second deal after completing a full agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta.

The Brazilian reportedly underwent a medical in New York on Sunday ahead of completing a move to Man United, after the Red Devils agreed a deal with the Serie A outfit worth just under £40m for his signature.

Ederson only had one year remaining on his contract with the Bergamo-based outfit, with United chiefs moving quickly to bring him to Old Trafford after the player decided he only wanted to join them.

It is understood to be a similar situation for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes, with United entering ‘official’ talks to sign the Portuguese star with his agent Jorge Mendes, as they prepare to make a first offer to the recently-relegated Hammers for the player.

According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham value the 21-year-old at £85m even though they are now a Championship club, although United will surely hope to land him for a smaller fee as they ramp up their interest.

Real Madrid and Arsenal have shown interest in the young Portugal international, but it is thought that a switch to United is his most likely move with the player keen to link up with Bruno Fernandes at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

Baleba Speaking to Man United Players About Move

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Even if United do complete a deal for Mateus Fernandes after Ederson, it has been suggested by some outlets that another central midfielder could still be targeted, should Manuel Ugarte join Casemiro through the Old Trafford exit door.

Journalist Chris Winterburn has claimed that the Red Devils will target either Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba or Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali after any potential deal for Fernandes, as they look to complete a major midfield rebuild.

The Sun recently reported that Baleba has been in talks with United players over a switch to Old Trafford, having also come close to a move to the Red Devils last summer.

GIVEMESPORT understands that an agreement on personal terms is already in place for the Cameroon international, dating back to last summer.

Baleba Viewed as the ‘New Casemiro’

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One report suggested previously that United chiefs see Baleba as being the ‘new Casemiro’, and with his physical profile, athleticism and ball-winning abilities, it isn’t hard to see why.

Baleba certainly enjoyed a better 2024-25 season than the campaign that has just gone, with his performances far less consistent.

However, United clearly see the potential in the 22-year-old, who it must be remembered is still a young player even though he has shown performances beyond his years previously.

Baleba was valued at £100m by Brighton last summer, but United will be hoping that they could land him for a smaller fee in the upcoming transfer window given his drop in performance.

If the Red Devils could negotiate lower fees for both Fernandes and Baleba in the coming weeks, it would be a no-brainer and leave them with a strong midfield ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing a move to sign a midfielder wanted by some of the top clubs in Europe, according to Foot Mercato.

Tottenham have already completed two summer signings in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, and they are currently working on two more in Jan Paul van Hecke and Savinho.

The addition of Van Hecke would complete a new-look defence for De Zerbi after it struggled again during the 2025-26 season, with the north Londoners narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship.

The Italian manager’s centre-back options would be Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, Luka Vuskovic, Senesi and Van Hecke if the Dutchman does join, surely meaning at least one of the aforementioned names would be on their way.

Romero appears to be the most likely after rumours in recent months, although Brighton and Hove Albion have lodged a bid for Vuskovic, who is keen on the move, leaving Spurs chiefs with a big decision to make.

Tottenham want reinforcements for their attack too, with Randal Kolo Muani returning to Paris Saint-Germain following an unsuccessful loan spell, while they are looking to strengthen in midfield too.

Tottenham Eyeing Move to Sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

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According to Foot Mercato, Liverpool are showing serious interest in Lille midfielder Ayyoun Bouaddi, and have added them to their summer shortlist.

In fact, Reds chiefs specifically travelled to New York to watch the 18-year-old in action for Morocco against Brazil in their opening World Cup group game on Saturday night.

However, there is more interest in the talented teenager from other clubs across Europe, including Tottenham, according to the French outlet.

Just like in defence, Spurs have decent strength in depth in the central midfield position, but they have lost Yves Bissouma this summer following the expiry of his contract.

Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich, with the player giving priority to a full-time move to Spurs because of his good relationship with De Zerbi, according to Fabrizio Romano, despite interest in his homeland from Sporting Lisbon.

Bouaddi Would be a Sensational Tottenham Signing

Tottenham already have some brilliant young talent in the central midfield position in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, but adding a talent like Bouaddi would be a real statement signing.

The 18-year-old dominated Brazil and Casemiro in particular during the 1-1 draw on Saturday, impressing after showcasing his many different traits.

The teenager was described as being a ‘superstar in the making’ by Joe Thomlinson, who credited the midfielder with his physicality, composure, reading of the game and his athleticism.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Hagn has tipped Bouaddi to potentially become the ‘best number 6 in the world’ in the future, having watched him in action.

Impressively, Hagn says that the Lille star plays in a similar way to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, knowing when to go forward and when to stay in position, and when to engage in a press.

Bouaddi would be a sensational signing for Tottenham, but they will be one of just a number of clubs looking at the future superstar.