Andoni Iraola's new Liverpool transfer priority emerges from Anfield

Andoni Iraola has got off to a decent start as Liverpool's manager.

He was appointed as Arne Slot's successor with the Reds' current crop of players expected to change the way that they play to fit Iraola's style better.

The Spaniard did an incredible job with Bournemouth during his time at the Vitality as he became the first manager in their history to earn the Cherries qualification to Europe.

Indeed, a lot of this was down to the impressive performances put on display by players such as Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan but, without Iraola's guidance, it doesn't feel like Bournemouth would have reached those heights.

Since his Liverpool appointment, one of Iraola's main goals has been to transform Liverpool's first-team squad after their fifth-place finish last term.

He's managed to do this by bringing in four new players but, since there are still so many areas among his ranks that need to be upgraded, it's hardly surprising to see a new priority emerge for the Spaniard.

Lamine Camara is now Andoni Iraola's main priority over Adam Wharton

One of the main positions that Liverpool still need to upgrade is their number six.

For the last couple of years, it's been clear to fans that defensive midfield is one of their main problem areas.

When there were three players in the middle of the park, it wasn't as much of an issue but, now that Liverpool play with a double pivot, the fact that Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai can barely ever win any duels is a problem.

With this in mind, most fans thought that a new number six would have been brought in during the summer.

However, since almost every single position among the Reds' ranks needed upgrading, Liverpool's new number six got forgotten about again.

But, now, thanks to a fresh update from Caught Offside, it seems like Iraola has finally got all of his ducks in a row and is about to make his move for a new defensive-midfielder.

"Wharton looks set to be available for a fee in the region of £80m this January, according to some sources," they wrote.

"It will be interesting to see what CFC do, but there is an increased urgency to strengthen in the middle of the park, even if there hasn’t previously been unanimous backing for Wharton.

"The 22-year-old has also been on the radar of Liverpool, though they are now understood to be focusing on Monaco’s Lamine Camara, who is no longer a priority for Chelsea after a Deadline Day move collapsed."

Lamine Camara should be the first player that Liverpool try and sign in January

As mentioned, over the last couple of years, Liverpool have been linked with many different defensive midfielders.

In fact, even in the final few days of the 2026-27 summer transfer window, three or four names popped up as potential options for Liverpool to explore.

However, of the lot, Camara feels like the best option for Liverpool.

The Senegal international has quickly become one of AS Monaco's most important players and, since his current manager, Filipe Luis adores him, he's always one of the first names on the team sheet.

In the summer, Chelsea were just moments away from confirming his transfer but, for one reason or another, the deal never went through with the Ligue 1 outfit pulling out of the deal at the final second.

But, there have been some rumours shared about Liverpool's involvement in what happened with Ben Jacobs claiming that the Reds told Monaco and Camara to wait until January so that they can make their move.

Whether this is true or not is unknown but, if the Reds are wanting to improve their midfield, signing Camara is certainly going to be one of the best ways for them to do that.