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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Ronan Sullivan

Andoni Iraola makes Liverpool transfer admission after Yan Diomande update

Andoni Iraola Liverpool Yan Diomande Mohamed Salah Andy Robertson Jurgen Klopp Michael Edwards Arne Slot EPL FSG

New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has said the club are “working hard” to secure more signings ahead of the new Premier League season.

Their only incomings so far have been Spain winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5million and centre-back Jeremy Jacquet for £60m. The latter’s transfer was announced in January, but completed earlier this month.

LIVE BLOG: All the latest transfer news and rumours

Liverpool have been linked with Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande, but have reportedly had an offer worth £85m rejected by RB Leipzig, with the German side said to be holding out for at least £100m.

Since, Diomande has made clear his intention to join European champions Paris Saint-Germain should they match Leipzig’s evaluation of him.

Transfer blow: Yan Diomande (Getty)
Transfer blow: Yan Diomande (Getty)

Speaking at his first external media press conference, Iraola recognised Liverpool’s need for reinforcements.

He said: "Obviously we've signed two players already but we need more players. We know this. The club are working on this.

"Me, as a coach, selfishly, you want the players here on day one, ready to train for pre-season.

"But we understand that football doesn't work like this and I know that the club is working hard to get those signings and I am trying to help also."

Liverpool players, not involved at the World Cup, are returning from their holidays this week, before flying to the United States next Monday for pre-season friendlies.

Iraola’s comments come days after the club announced the departure of Fenway Sports Group’s (FSG) CEO Michael Edwards, who had previously been Liverpool’s sporting director between 2011 and 2022, but rejoined as FSG CEO in 2024.

Edwards is often credited with signing players like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who proved so vital to Jurgen Klopp’s success as manager. Edwards also oversaw Klopp and Arne Slot’s appointments, as well as Iraola’s.

Salah, Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all departed on expiry of their contracts in June, so replacing two of Liverpool’s most important players in their modern history is paramount.

Fresh start: Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool head coach (AFP/Getty)
Fresh start: Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool head coach (AFP/Getty)

They cumulatively made over a thousand (1,003) appearances for the side, while Salah’s 257 goals puts him third in Liverpool’s all-time top goalscorers, behind only Roger Hunt (285) and Ian Rush (346).

Salah and Robertson were instrumental in their Champions League (18/19) and Premier League (19/20) wins under Klopp, as all three were for their second title win (24/25) under Slot. Iraola replaced the Dutchman in May, following Liverpool’s 5th-placed finish.

Iraola joined Liverpool after a three-year stint at Bournemouth. He ended his time there by securing Europa League football with a sixth-placed finish - their highest-ever Premier League placing. The Cherries had also never qualified for European football before.

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