Liverpool are in the market for a defender or two this summer, as the recruitment team at Anfield look to give Andoni Iraola the best chance possible of impressing in his first season in charge.

The Reds have already been hard at work to improve the squad, as a quick deal was wrapped up to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, hijacking Newcastle United’s weeks-long pursuit of the winger.

The Spaniard joins Jeremy Jacquet as a summer arrival, but there is more to come. Liverpool are in talks to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, with a potential deal worth over £100 million on the cards for the Ivory Coast international.

That move appears to be a priority, but there are some potential bargains in the market that the Merseyside outfit are looking to sign, particularly in the backline.

Liverpool Want Andrei Ratiu

Liverpool are looking at ways to improve the squad, and according to Anfield Index, the club have shown interest in Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu.

The Romanian international has a release clause worth €25 million (£21.7 million), but there is some hope that the Reds can negotiate terms even more favourable than that.

Talks with the 28-year-old have already been held, with the hope that personal terms could be agreed before getting a deal over the line in the coming weeks.

There is competition for the right-back, who has been described as “underrated”, as Barcelona have appeared as a potential challenger for his signature.

It remains to be seen whether a deal can get over the line, but it would represent another potential bargain transfer for Liverpool, following on from the signing of Munoz.

Liverpool’s Right-Back Troubles

A move for Ratiu could help solve an issue Liverpool have had at right-back ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold left the club to join Real Madrid.

The Reds suffered last season as Conor Bradley’s injury ruled him out of contention for the long-term, while Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez had a mixture of injury issues and struggles with form.

That forced Arne Slot to play one of Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai in the position, which kept the pair out of their best role on the pitch.

Going into this summer, a move for a defender who can stay fit and provide some consistent quality at right-back could make things easier for Iraola.

Given the importance of signing wingers and midfielders, it’s unclear just how much of a priority a right-back will be. But it has been a problem area.

Arsenal are preparing for some major moves in the summer transfer window, as reports claim a bid is being prepared for one key target in the coming weeks.

The Gunners are looking to improve the squad after sealing the Premier League title last season, while going so close to sealing a historic double with a Champions League triumph, missing out in the final.

To go that one step further, there are plans to bolster the forward line in particular, with talks underway to add a few important players in key positions.

There is interest in Christos Tzolis, the Club Brugge winger who continues to impress in Belgium, while discussions are ongoing to sign teenager Jeremy Monga from Leicester City as an option for the future.

Both players may add some quality for the future, but Arsenal are also looking for an instant impact, with one name in mind to fill the wide areas.

Arsenal Ready Bradley Barcola Bid

via Reuters

Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for Bradley Barcola, as the winger enters the final two years under contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Frenchman’s future is unclear due to that expiring deal, as well as a desire to start regularly, which isn’t guaranteed with the options available to Luis Enrique.

That may lead to an exit this summer, as CaughtOffside reports that a £70 million offer is being prepared by the Gunners to try and tempt him to North London.

It’s unclear whether making a formal bid will push PSG to accept an offer, though their valuation is claimed to be in the range of £86.7 million, creating a gap between the clubs.

Arsenal’s position is made tougher by the fact that plenty of clubs are showing interest in the 23-year-old, should he become available this summer.

Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea are all credited with interest, along with European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

It remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta will land Barcola this summer, in what looks like a deal that could drag on late into the transfer window.

Barcola Is Perfect For Arsenal

Barcola may prove to be the perfect option for the left wing at Arsenal, which has become something of a problem position over the years.

On the right flank, Arteta has prioritised some connections, as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and one of Jurrien Timber or Ben White connects in a triangle that creates space for them to thrive in.

On the left, the full-back often drifts into space, whether that’s in midfield or at the top end of the pitch, very rarely offering many chances to overlap or underlap with the winger on that side.

It means that Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard are left holding the width on their own, and while they have their own qualities, they aren’t exactly one-on-one creators.

Barcola could hold that wing on his own, though, having been described as “one of the best wingers in the world”, even despite his young age.

The Frenchman could unlock a game all on his own, and that may be exactly what Arsenal need from their left-winger.

Tottenham Hotspur have launched a £75m bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali today, with the number that the Magpies want revealed by Sky Sports.

Fabrizio Romano revealed this week that Tottenham had made the Italy international a top target, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to link with his national compatriot in north London.

Spurs have been in negotiations with the player over a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with David Ornstein confirming on Saturday evening that the north Londoners have now initiated club-to-club contact with the Magpies to try and agree a deal for the £100m-rated midfielder.

De Zerbi wants to make a statement signing in the middle of the park as he looks to bring the club back to the elite, and he is also keen on a deal for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes.

Fernandes is also Manchester United’s top target, while Tonali has been a target for the Red Devils, Manchester City and Arsenal in recent months.

Sky Sports: Tottenham Launch £75m Bid for Tonali

via Reuters

According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, posting on X on Saturday night, Tottenham have now taken an important step in their bid to prise Tonali away from Newcastle.

Spurs have launched an offer worth £75m for the 26-year-old, but Newcastle have informed their Premier League rivals that they want £85m to sell.

It isn’t a huge gap for Tottenham to bridge now, and they will be confident of reaching an agreement sooner rather than later as they ramp up their efforts to secure De Zerbi’s top target.

Di Marzio has suggested that a compromise could be agreed for £80m in the coming days.

Tottenham ‘Very Close’ to Mateus Fernandes Agreement

via Reuters

Ornstein reported earlier this week that De Zerbi wants Spurs to sign both Tonali and Fernandes from West Ham, as they looks to transform his central midfield.

Matteo Moretto reported on Saturday afternoon that the north Londoners are ‘very close’ to an agreement with the Portugal international over personal terms, with the Irons wanting £80-85m for their prized asset despite the fact that they were relegated to the Championship last season.

Should he manage to pull off a statement double deal, it would raise doubts over a move to make Joao Palhinha’s loan deal from Bayern Munich permanent, and could see some midfielders depart too.

Paul O’Keefe has already suggested that minutes for the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall could be limited this season as De Zerbi plans to go with experience, like he did at the end of last season.

Bergvall has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa in recent months.