Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has acknowledged that his squad lacks sufficient wide attacking options ahead of the new season, though he remains optimistic the club will secure reinforcements before the transfer window closes. The Reds' pursuit of Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh has hit a setback after the club rejected a £50m offer, prompting Liverpool to explore alternative targets in the market.
Minteh, who joined Brighton from Newcastle United in 2024, is currently recovering from a leg injury requiring surgery that could sideline him for at least eight weeks, according to reports from the transfer market. Despite the setback with Minteh, Liverpool have identified Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola as their primary winger target, though PSG have valued the French international at approximately £140m. The club has also shown interest in fellow PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye as an alternative option.
When discussing the timing of the transfer window, Iraola expressed frustration with the uncertainty created by the market remaining open during the start of the competitive season.
"As a manager, this is an easy one for me. I wanted the players for the first day on 13 July - everyone here and all the positions doubled with top-level players,"he said.
"But you understand how the competition works, that (the) market is open and you start the competition. We have to adapt as coaches to this situation. I hate these two weeks or these 10 days that we have because there is a lot of uncertainty – but not in Liverpool, everywhere. But we have to adapt."
What has Liverpool done in the transfer market so far?
Since Iraola took over from Arne Slot as head coach, Liverpool have made several significant additions to their squad. The club secured Victor Munoz for £34.5m and brought in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet also arrived from Rennes in a deal valued at £60m, though that transfer was agreed during the January window.
The summer has also seen notable departures from Anfield. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left the club, while midfielder Curtis Jones is in Italy to finalise a £30m transfer to Inter Milan. Regarding Jones' departure, Iraola explained that he understood the midfielder's desire to move on.
"With Curtis, you know. I think it's still not official but there is an ongoing situation. I understood with Curtis. I talked to him. I think in the first or second training session we talked. I value him a lot as a player. He loved this club – it was very clear since the beginning for me – but I understood that probably the outcome was going to be what it has been at the end."
"I've never hid it - for me Curtis is a very good player. A very, very good player, but I understood straight away when he talked to me about his situation. It was a situation that could happen and it looks like it is going to happen."
Where does Liverpool need to strengthen?
Iraola has been explicit about the club's priority areas for recruitment. He identified the wide attacking positions as a critical gap in the squad, emphasising that Liverpool lack sufficient specialists for those roles.
"You are asking me what we need - there are certain situations that for me are clear – especially now on the wing because we don't have enough players specific to play in those positions."
Beyond the wing positions, the manager indicated that Liverpool remain open to opportunities elsewhere if the right calibre of player becomes available.
"And then in other positions, I think we have to be open-minded in the market to see situations that honestly can improve our team. It's not about signing because we need a player here. No, it's about improving the squad. And we have very good players already here, so to improve our very good players, you need like a specific level of player, yes."
In a separate discussion with former player Jamie Carragher, Iraola stressed the importance of the final weeks of the transfer window.
"We will definitely sign some players. Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1. Because it is true that we are still quite thin."
What does the squad situation look like?
Concerns about Liverpool's depth have been evident since the club's pre-season tour in the United States, where defensive vulnerabilities were exposed during matches. Internally at Anfield, there is confidence that the final stretch of the transfer window will see significant activity as the club attempts to address these gaps before the season progresses further.
Minteh's production record at Brighton demonstrates why Liverpool pursued him: the winger contributed seven goals and assists in the Premier League last season, with three goals and four assists across the campaign. However, his current injury status has complicated any potential move.
What happens next for Liverpool's transfer activity?
Liverpool are expected to remain active in pursuing wide attacking reinforcements before the summer deadline. According to reports on the transfer situation, the club may either increase their offer for Minteh or shift their focus entirely to alternative targets such as Barcola and Mbaye. Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola has verbally agreed to join Liverpool, though PSG and the Premier League club remain in negotiations over the player's valuation.
The outcome of Liverpool's recruitment efforts by 1 September will shape how the club approaches the remainder of the season. Iraola has made clear that addressing the winger shortage is non-negotiable, and the club's internal belief is that the final weeks of August will deliver the necessary additions to compete effectively across all competitions.
