Liverpool aren't helping Andoni Iraola with their latest transfer plan. The €60m idea is a mistake.
Liverpool are building their transfer shortlist for the upcoming windows and there's certainly work to be done. Richard Hughes left Julian Ward with a very imbalanced squad and one with holes all over the place.
On top of that, there are upcoming holes - contracts that need sorting or this group will be decimated by inaction. It's a difficult spot for Ward, then, especially as he needs to sign players pretty quickly.
One area of concern is midfield. Liverpool have built a group entirely of attacking midfielders and while the opportunity was there in the summer to sign someone different, the Reds instead sold Curtis Jones and signed no one.
It was a bizarre move - but we worry Liverpool could double-down on it.
The Manu Koné plan
TuttoMercatoWeb reports that Liverpool remain in the mix for Manu Koné. The AS Roma star was the subject of interest by many clubs in the summer, and the report claims that Chelsea mad a €60m offer.
That offer was rejected and Roma expect a bigger one to arrive from someone in 2027. The Reds and the Blues are the only clubs named as definitely interested in the Frenchman.
But we're not sure about this one. Koné is a very good player but not one proven to be truly elite. That wouldn't usually be a problem - you can always develop a player to that level - but he's incredibly close to what Liverpool already have.
Our Value Adder model has Koné as very similar going forward as Ryan Gravenberch. In fact, that's the most similar player to him across the top five leagues in attack.
This isn't something that helps Iraola. More of the same isn't the order of the day - the problem isn't squad depth or a need for cover. The issue is that Liverpool don't have controlling, defence-first midfielders who can stop counter-attacks and plug gaps.
Koné would be more of the same, essentially a swap-out for Gravenberch in games. Liverpool would largely be in the same position they're in right now, which isn't worth €60m.