RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Andoni Iraola's 'top target' for Liverpool problem position revealed
Liverpool have a fair few problems that they still need to solve this summer.
However, with their transfer budget limited and their squad depth already thin, there's not likely to be an awful lot of movement in or out of Anfield.
Indeed, many players have been linked with an Anfield switch this summer with some new rumours even seeming to arise now.
However, since we're now less than a week away from deadline day, the time to get deals done is now.
But, since the Reds are desperate for new additions, any player that they try and sign will come at an extortionate fee, just as Brighton have shown with their demands for Yankuba Minteh .
Despite this, the Reds' recruitment team have clearly been hard at work with Andoni Iraola's top target for his new number six now being revealed.
Andoni Iraola wants to bring Alex Scott to Liverpool
Ever since Iraola jumped ship from Bournemouth to Liverpool, talk of some Cherries players following him has been rife.
At the start of the summer, Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan and Tyler Adams were all strongly linked with the Anfield outfit .
However, as the weeks went on, it became clear that those three players were untouchable.
Of course, other players such as Alex Scott then emerged as potential options but once again, Liverpool were told no.
However, thanks to an update from the Independent, it doesn't seem like Bournemouth's stubborn stance has stopped the Reds from making Scott their top target at number six.
"Reflecting some of the wider issues, however, Liverpool do actually have a top target for defensive midfield," they wrote.
"Multiple sources say that is Iraola’s hinge player at Bournemouth, Alex Scott.
"A complication is that they can’t currently pay the kind of fee that even make the south-coast club consider a sale, estimated at around £90m. As such, there’s a sense that Liverpool will wait until next year, and make do in the way that Arne Slot did in 2024-25. Ryan Gravenberch may become newly important again.
"There is a risk to that, if it’s Scott they absolutely want, since Chelsea are one of many clubs extremely keen on the 23-year-old. Bournemouth have so far warned off all suitors, insisting they won’t even entertain bids in this window, but Chelsea are considering whether to test that with a high offer.
"At the least, Iraola has proven he is a coach who is very good at making do. He doesn’t publicly complain, and has repeatedly shown a willingness to tactically compromise.
"It’s why so many executives have been describing him as a “dream appointment” in the modern environment, that is so dominated by directors and executives."
Alex Scott would be good for Liverpool but £90 million is way too much for him
Everyone knows that Liverpool need a new defensive midfielder.
Many different players have been linked as potential options with Adam Wharton, Scott, Adams and Lamine Camara among the strongest linked with a switch .
However, despite the Reds having an abundance of options at their disposal, no deals for any of them have been reached yet.
Of course, the Anfield outfit's homegrown issue is another problem that they need to think about which is why, of the lot, Scott or Wharton would be the best options for Liverpool to explore.
But, since English players have an extra £20 million or so added to their values for Premier League clubs, it's clear that a deal for one of the aforementioned duo won't be taking place this summer.
If Scott has another solid campaign under Marco Rose then a future deal could certainly be agreed upon.
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