Liverpool 'closing in' on second summer signing you've probably never heard of
Liverpool are reportedly set to make an opening bid to sign Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Rațiu in the summer transfer window.
Andoni Iraola has alredy been backed with the funds to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna and is set to turn to La Liga once again as he aims to strengthen in defence.
Liverpool already have Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley as their right-back options but have now been linked with a deal to sign the highly-rated Rațiu.
The 28-year-old is regarded as one of the most underrated players in the Spanish top-flight, where he has made 102 appearances for Vallecano since he joined three years ago.
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SportsBoom claim that, while Frimpong is still expected to be the first-choice full-back next season, Iraola wants to have a closer competitor for the starting role and believes Rațiu is capable of making the step up to the Premier League. It is not clear what the proposed move would mean for academy graduate Bradley.
Rațiu is vastly experienced and has represented the Romanian national side 38 times. He was previously named Romanian Footballer of the Year and played a key role as Rayo Vallecano reached the UEFA Conference League Final earlier this year, where they lost to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool prepare Rațiu bid
Iraola reportedly believes Rațiu represents excellent value in the current transfer market and is a player who would be capable of regular playing time in the squad.
The report claims Vallecano would hope to receive a fee in the region of £25million for the right-back, with the La Liga club in a strong position to hold out for their financial demands.
Rațiu only signed a new long-term contract with Vallecano in November 2025 and is contracted for another four years. However, it is claimed Liverpool are still confident they would be able to reach an agreement and could tempt Vallecano by including various lucrative add-ons in the proposal.
Liverpool busy in the transfer market
Liverpool struggled at right-back last season after they lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid when his contract expired. Arne Slot was done few favours by the injury issues to both Frimpong and Bradley, as they turned to makeshift solutions in a vital position.
Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were both trialled in the auxiliary right-back role, but it depleted Liverpool of two central midfield options as their season quickly unravelled. It is perhaps no surprise then that Iraola has reportedly made it a priority to address the problem position during his first summer at Anfield.
READ MORE: Liverpool preparing to hijack another Premier League transfer which will impact two rivals
Liverpool will announce another summer signing next week when defender Jeremy Jacquet completes his £55million move to Merseyside. The French youngster agreed a deal to leave Rennes on deadline day of the winter window, but it was agreed he would complete his season in Ligue 1 before he moved to the Premier League.
The Reds are hopeful that Jacquet is set to be fit for the start of pre-season training after he suffered a serious shoulder injury shortly after his impending transfer was announced. The Athletic states that his rehabilitation programme is going according to plan and he is expected to be available for initial pre-season tests early next month.
It is understood that fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni is also on track to be available for the start of pre-season. The 19-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September and has not played since.
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League, Transfer News
Rich Fay