Andoni Iraola has already made one deal as Liverpool manager, bringing in Osasuna star Victor Muñoz for £34m, but the new Reds manager doesn’t stop there.
Andoni Iraola is looking for his next contract (Image: Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola has reportedly been told not to sign players from his former club Bournemouth. Iraola, 44, spent three years with the Cherries, helping them qualify for Europe for the first time in their history in their final season.
Bournemouth’s Premier League side have improved year on year under the Spanish manager, despite regularly being stripped of most of their best assets. Last summer, three of their starting defenders were sold before top scorer Antoine Semenyo left for Manchester City in the January transfer window.
However, there is still plenty of talent at the Vitality Stadium, including high-profile midfielder Alex Scott, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool or Manchester United. However, Mr Iraola has been asked not to attack his former employer.
Liverpool legend John Barnes said in an interview with Betfred: “There’s no Bournemouth player I’d like to see bring him (Andoni Iraola) to Anfield with, because I don’t think there’s a better Bournemouth player than what we already have.”
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“Alex Scott is someone who is trusted by coach Andoni Iraola, but I think the only reason he came to the club is because of the coach. Iraola understands him and if Arne Slott was still the manager and he was a different manager than Andoni, he probably wouldn’t have been such a good fit.”
Burns is no doubt wary of how Milos Kerkes has performed at Anfield since joining Liverpool for £40m last summer. The left-back was a mixed bag in his debut season with the Reds, but is likely to remain first choice for the role following the departure of Andy Robertson.
Liverpool have already signed one non-Bournemouth player under Iraola. Last week, the Reds announced the signing of Victor Muñoz from La Liga side Osasuna in a £34m deal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s £86m bid for Yann Diomande was rejected by RB Leipzig. Attack appears to be a priority for the Reds, who have also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
Should Liverpool sign the Bournemouth player? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Alex Scott has been linked with Liverpool (Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s head of recruitment, sporting director Richard Hughes, worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and their relationship was helpful during negotiations. “It’s obviously very helpful to have someone on the other side of the table that you’ve already worked with,” Iraola explained earlier this month.
“We’ve been together for a year and I think in this case it’s about the club, about Liverpool. That’s what really attracted me. I think I’m looking forward to getting all the information now.”
“I’ve been talking to everyone to understand more about the club and everything that’s going on off the pitch, and there’s still time. We still have a month before we start working with the players in earnest, but we want to use this month properly and arrive here in the right shape.”
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