​Liverpool already have a sizable list of potential targets on their summer shortlist. The Anfield club are clearly preparing for another substantial rebuild, and without one, they probably won’t reach the level required to challenge for the Premier League title. Of course, Andoni Iraola will want to assess every player available to him, but by the end of pre-season he will need a precise plan: who to keep, who to sell, and who to bring in.
With most other Premier League teams chasing similar players, the market has become increasingly competitive and inflated by the day. It’s therefore little surprise that Liverpool now have one last opportunity to push a deal for one of their long-standing targets over the line.
Right-wing remains a major problem area for the team. Despite some fans hoping Mohamed Salah might perform a dramatic U-turn and extend his stay at Anfield, that scenario seems unlikely. At present, Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong are Liverpool’s only established options on the right, but with Chiesa potentially on his way out, a new right-sided forward is essential. Victor Munoz could fill the role, though he is more effective on the left.
Liverpool’s need for a new right-winger has been clear for some time, and according to a fresh report from A Bola, the Reds may only have until the end of the week to secure a deal for one of their reported targets. “Al Ahli’s pursuit of Francisco Trincão continues,” they noted, though the Saudis are trying to persuade Sporting to accept a deal below their €50 million asking price. Sporting, naturally, expect to sell the player for between €50 and €60 million, so they rejected the initial approach from the Saudi club, which, even without a formal offer, offered €45 million. Negotiations are continuing, albeit at a slower pace than Atlético Madrid’s for Morten Hjulmand, and will likely be difficult because Sporting have a clear price, while Al Ahli, whose sporting director is the Portuguese Rui Pedro Braz, is determined to lower it. And their interest in the 27-year-old forward remains genuine, even after they signed attacking midfielder Spertsyan from Krasnodar for €22 million.
There is also transfer chatter about Iraola’s tactical approach. While his system shares similarities with Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, there are subtle differences between them. Iraola appears to want forwards who can break the lines of defence and drift wide when needed, a trait that echoed in the performance of Eli Junior Kroupi during the 2025-26 season. A striker like Hugo Ekitike would be a natural fit for that remit, with Alexander Isak perhaps offering an even higher ceiling. On the wings, Iraola prioritizes attackers who can create goals, aiming for players who can contribute meaningful assists and scoring opportunities in wide areas. This emphasis on wing creativity is part of his broader philosophy to maximize both width and goal threat from wide positions.
In summary, Liverpool’s current reality is clear: they must navigate a tight market, finish their assessments by season’s end, and act decisively on a clear target who can strengthen the right flank and complement the rest of the squad. Their pursuit of a prolific, adaptable winger who can operate in wide and inverted positions remains central to their plans, and the coming days could determine whether they land a deal that caps off a busy but crucial rebuilding phase.