Andoni Iraola planning Bournemouth transfer raid as first three Liverpool targets decided
New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is reportedly added a Bournemouth star to his initial three-man transfer shortlist at Anfield.
Iraola was officially announced as the Reds' new head coach on Thursday evening, replacing Arne Slot.
The Spaniard's contract length was not publicly disclosed but he has reportedly signed a two-year deal.
He gave an interview to Liverpool's official website after his appointment was confirmed, though will not speak to the wider media until later this summer.
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In the meantime, the Reds are working on significant transfer plans for the upcoming window, having finished in a disappointing fifth place in last season's Premier League.
They have released Andy Robertson - who has already joined Tottenham - and Mohamed Salah on free transfers, with the latter terminating his contract a year early by mutual consent.
And Iraola is already targeting a player from his former club to replace one of those stars.
Iraola 'decides Liverpool transfer targets'
While the Spaniard's involvement in transfer dealings may be minimal compared to some other Premier League managers, there is no doubt that any targets will factor in the 43-year-old's playing style and the type of players he likes to manage.
According to the i Paper, Iraola is keen on bringing Bournemouth and Brazil winger Rayan to Anfield.
The 19-year-old only moved to Dean Court in January from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, but quickly adapted to English football and has scored five goals in his 15 Premier League appearances.
That form has earned him a call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
It is claimed that Iraola - who is said to be a 'huge fan' of the winger - may have to wait to complete a deal for Rayan until January, with Bournemouth having no desire to sell him at this stage.
He has a £130 million (around £85m) release clause in his contract with the Cherries, but it is reported that the clause can only be activated from January onwards and will drop in subsequent transfer windows.
Forward Eli Junior Kroupi is also a target but Liverpool would face stiff competition from their Premier League rivals.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal and Manchester City had both made calls enquiring about the 19-year-old's status after he scored 13 goals for the Cherries last season.
Bournemouth are said to be confident that Kroupi will stay for at least another season after the club qualified for the Europa League, but Arsenal and City appear to have brought their plans to sign him forward by 12 months.
READ MORE: Arsenal bring forward £80m signing plan by a year after personal phone call made
Elsewhere, Liverpool also hold interest in RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, also 19, who scored 12 goals in his debut season in the Bundesliga.
They are said to have approached Leipzig over a transfer but Diomande is also being linked with PSG, whom he was a childhood fan of.
Topics: Bournemouth, Liverpool, Premier League, Transfers
Ryan Smart