Liverpool news: £130million transfer opportunity as top replacement option emerges

· Mirror

Liverpool could already have their eye on another marquee signing

Liverpool could look to pounce on a transfer opportunity next summer after missing out on key targets last month. The Reds forked out almost £200million on the signings of Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola in Andoni Iraola's first transfer market as Reds boss.

The summer marked a new era for the Premier League giants, but could also be looked at as a missed opportunity. Liverpool attempted to recruit Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr last month as potential replacements for Mohamed Salah and were knocked back by Brighton and Crystal Palace in their efforts.

However, their failure to acquire the wingers could lead the Reds to chase a target that could cost £130m. Meanwhile, a leading option to replace a key departure from Anfield has emerged.

Rayan opportunity

Liverpool may boast an impressive forward line, but they do so without having signed an out-and-out right-winger this past summer. The Reds signed Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola to bolster their attacking options, but failed to bring in a like-for-like replacement for Mohamed Salah, after deals for Minteh and Sarr fell through in the final days of the window.

The long-term successor to the Egyptian icon could come in the form of Bournemouth star Rayan. The Brazil international will have a £130m release clause able to be triggered from next summer, the Athletic report.

The 20-year-old was brought to the Premier League in January under Iraola and impressed heavily with five goals scored and two assists provided in 15 games. The Cherries are expected to decline any approach for the winger before the release clause becomes active.

Sporting director replacement option

The exit of Richard Hughes from Liverpool was announced last week, with the former sporting director opting to leave Anfield a year before his contract was set to expire. The departure of the Scotsman leaves a sizeable gap in the Reds' footballing operations.

FSG technical director, Julian Ward, who previously was the club's sporting director in 2022 after the departure of Michael Edwards, has been named as a strong contender to succeed Hughes.

According to The Athletic, Ward is among the leading names to take over the role, with current assistant sporting director David Woodfine and director of football development Pedro Marques also being named as possible internal options. However, Ornstein refused to rule out a possible external hire.

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