Liverpool are preparing to sign £80m star Iraola

For the second time in as many years, Liverpool Football Club is set for a new era of excitement and uncertainty after Arne Slot was given his marching orders.

The Dutchman was sacked on Saturday afternoon following an end-of-season review, with the Reds set to finish fifth a year after winning the Premier League.

It looks like former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will be the one to take over at Anfield, after agreeing terms with the Spaniard earlier this week.

The 43-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the option of a third on Merseyside, with the genuine hope that he can lead the Reds back to title glory in the near future.

He may need more reinforcements when he arrives to help him in his pursuit of Merseyside, but it seems the management have already identified a number of potential transfer targets.

Liverpool are preparing an £80m bid for the star this summer

Despite the window not opening until the 15th of June, Liverpool have already been linked with a number of big-money transfer targets to improve the senior ranks.

RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande is a player Reds fans will be familiar with at this point, after weeks of speculation linking him with a move to Anfield.

The Ivory Coast international will be one of the most sought-after talents of the summer, with PSG looking to fight and secure a move for the 19-year-old.

Other options are still being pursued by the management at the moment, with West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes also being considered.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, the Reds are preparing to get the opportunity to get the Portuguese player after the Hammers lost in the Championship this season.

This report also says that Arsenal and Manchester United are looking to use this opportunity to get a deal for the Portuguese player.

Nuno Espírito Santo's side are said to be seeking around £80m to offload the 21-year-old this summer – more than double what they paid for his services 12 months ago.

Why Fernandes would suit Diomande at Liverpool

It certainly cannot be denied that Diomande has been the biggest name touted for a move to Liverpool ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.

The 19-year-old has been one of Europe's top talents in recent months, as evidenced by his impressive tally of 12 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga.

Interest from the Reds and current defending European champions PSG is unsurprising, but any deal would be expensive – with an £86m transfer fee expected to be required.

The right-back will need time to settle into life on Merseyside if he makes the move to Liverpool this summer, with the Premier League being a whole lot higher than the Bundesliga.

Fernandes' departure will make the transition easier for the Ivorian international, especially if he can replicate his figures from last season.

The Portuguese-born player, called “the best player” by one analyst, has managed to create 1.2 chances per 90 this season, and 455 passes in the final third.

Both of the aforementioned figures highlight his quality with the ball at his feet, which could see him give Diomande plenty of opportunities in any move to Anfield.

The current West Ham star has also been able to complete 59% of his attempted dribbles this season, allowing him to get into attacking areas before joining his teammates.

Fernandes' passing accuracy of 88% and interception rate of 23% also shows his incredible ability to kill the opposition in attacking areas.

Diomande will undoubtedly be the beneficiary of his quality in management, where the two can form a lethal partnership together under the leadership of Iraola.

£80m for the Hammers midfielder would be a crazy amount, but the 21-year-old is a player who could improve even more in the coming years.

Should he be able to build a relationship with Diomande on Merseyside, the Portuguese will be worth every penny and could make the difference in the hunt for the league title.

There is no doubt that Iraola would love a player of Fernandes' caliber in his move, and the Spaniard is undoubtedly a manager who can take the player and the club to the next level.