Updated: 3 Jun 2026 16:02 BST |
6 min read
Liverpool are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing season by having a strong summer transfer window in a post-Arne Slot era.
Slot was sacked 12 months after winning the Premier League title in his debut season following a campaign that saw Liverpool finish fifth despite spending nearly €500 million last summer.
The Merseyside outfit are set to bring in Andoni Iraola as Slot’s replacement and the former Bournemouth coach will aim to stamp his mark on Liverpool’s squad through a number of big money transfers, both in and out.
FootballTransfers takes a look at what a dream summer window could look like for Liverpool.
SIGNINGS
The most glaring gap in Liverpool’s squad is now at right-wing after Mohamed Salah’s departure, leaving Iraola the unenviable task of replacing a player who topped the club’s scoring charts for eight of his nine seasons at Anfield.
Liverpool’s dream target would be Yan Diomande and a move will be explored for the RB Leipzig wonderkid, even with an asking price of around €100m and with Paris Saint-Germain circling.
With Hugo Ekitike still sidelined by a long-term injury, Liverpool have also run the rule over Bradley Barcola of PSG and they would love to sign the 23-year-old this summer in addition to Diomande, even though only signing one of the pair is likely.
Much will be determined by the futures of other squad players but there is will also be a massive Ibrahima Konate-shaped hole in Liverpool’s squad after the Frenchman announced his departure on a free transfer.
Having also seen Andrew Robertson leave on a free transfer, Liverpool will need reinforcements in the left side of defence, with youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and the soon-to-be-fit Giovanni Leoni capable of covering Virgil van Dijk at right-centre-back.
Goncalo Inacio is a player who has long-been linked with a move to Liverpool and the Sporting defender would offer a combination of experience, leadership and versatility in the back line, with the 24-year-old capable of playing at left-back as well as centre-back.
RB Leipzig left-back David Raum is also a player that has previously been linked to Liverpool and, with the 28-year-old’s contract expiring in 2027, he could be available for a cut-price deal to provide competition to Milos Kerkez.
In midfield, Liverpool could see a number of departures which could pave the way for another marquee signing in a familiar face for Iraola – Alex Scott.
The Bournemouth midfielder has starred under the Spaniard for the Cherries and a reunion with his former manager on Merseyside would represent a natural step up for a player who can bring quality and Premier League experience to Liverpool’s midfield.
Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller also has a €40m release clause in his contract that makes the German an appealing target if Liverpool need further depth in themiddle of the park depending on their sales.
While reinforcements may also be wanted up front, bringing in Diomande, Barcola, Inacio and Scott, with Raum and Stiller as depth, would regenerate Liverpool’s team under Iraola and form an encouraging start to his tenure this summer.
SIGNINGS
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Goncalo Inacio | DEF |
| David Raum | DEF |
| Alex Scott | MID |
| Angelo Stiller | MID |
| Yan Diomande | FOR |
| Bradley Barcola | FOR |
SALES
Liverpool’s problem in recent years has been failing to cash in on their stars whose contracts are running down, resulting in the likes of Konate and Robertson leaving for free and limiting the funds available to find a replacement.
Therefore, Liverpool will need to be proactive this summer in cashing in on players who, while still useful squad options, are unlikely to renew their deals and need to be replaced.
Curtis Jones is the most obvious candidate, with the 25-year-old entering the final year of his deal and being linked with a move to Italy in order to find first team football.
The same can be said of Joe Gomez, who has become part of the furniture at Anfield but is too injury prone and limited to be relied on further, prompting Liverpool to consider his sale despite his versatility across the back line.
Federico Chiesa is another player who has grown frustrated with his lack of game time and, should the likes of Barcola and Diomande arrive, the Italian will find his opportunities even more limited, meaning Liverpool are sure to cash in on a player who made just one league start last season.
Backup midfielder Wataru Endo could also be sold but arguably the most pressing issue will be that of Harvey Elliott after his disastrous loan at Aston Villa, with the 23-year-old set to return to Anfield even with his contract expiring next summer.
Ultimately, Liverpool’s main goal for outgoings will be to cash in on all their fringe players whose deals are running down to provide enough income to restructure the squad under Iraola and find a new identity without Salah.
SALES
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Joe Gomez | DEF |
| Curtis Jones | MID |
| Wataru Endo | MID |
| Harvey Elliott | MID |
| Federico Chiesa | FOR |
Liverpool’s dream squad for 2026-27 season
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman
Defenders: Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Milos Kerkez, David Raum, Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni, Jeremy Jacquet, Goncalo Inacio
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Alex Scott, Angelo Stiller
Forwards:Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike
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