Andoni Iraola opens door to record-breaking £130m forward deal

Liverpool will be heading into the 2026/27 season without Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian King has reached an agreement to rip up his £400k per week contract one year early. Salah, 33, departs as a club legend and his exit will leave a gaping hole in the outgoing Premier League champions’ attack.

Quality out wide featuring players with one–v-one quality has long been seen as Liverpool’s transfer priority this summer. And that won’t change even though Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot as head coach.

In fact the Spaniard’s appointment makes it even more likely that one standout youngster will be making his way to Anfield in the near future.

Rayan deal now more likely

Rayan, 19, was one of the signings of the 2025/26 Premier League season. The Brazilian international joined Iraola’s Bournemouth in a January transfer window masterstroke for around £30m.

The elegant left-footed attacker is already proving too good for his Vitality Stadium surroundings and it’s only a matter of time before he’s on his way to a bigger club.

According to a report in the iPaper the door is now open for Liverpool to conclude a deal for the Vasco da Gama academy graduate - who has been likened to Adriano for his powerful running and finishing technique.

The only warning is that the Merseyside move will have to wait until January - when a £130m release clause in Rayan’s Bournemouth contract becomes active.

Iraola appointment opens door to £130m Rayan deal

“Andoni Iraola’s appointment as Liverpool boss has opened the door for the Reds to make a move for Bournemouth’s Brazil international Rayan – but not until January at the earliest,” the report reads.

“With Liverpool looking to shake up their attacking options in the wake of Mo Salah’s departure he was already on the club’s radar before the decision to appoint Iraola. That is likely to be firmed up now he is in charge.

“The Brazil forward is happy to stay at Bournemouth this summer. He has a release clause that activates in January but it is a whopping £130m before it lowers in value in each subsequent transfer window. There’s an expectation that he will stay.”

Rayan got five goals in 15 league games under Iraola following his move from the Brasileiro. He earned a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the back of his Premier League form.

Liverpool were heavily linked with the teenager prior to the move but decided against a deal - probably due to Salah being contracted until 2027.

That has all changed now and the new Liverpool head coach Iraola has got a pathway to rekindle his relationship with Rayan via a £130m deal that would eclipse the £125m record fee paid to Newcastle for Alexander Isak.

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