The Arne Slot era is officially over and Andoni Iraola has walked straight into a full-blown Liverpool revolution after a very underwhelming 2025/26 campaign for the 20 time Premier League Champions and they need reinforcements this summer to quickly turn it around ahead of the new season which begins offically on Friday, 21st August 2026.
This isn’t just your standard summer transfer window; it’s a complete identity reset. Almost every department of the club is changing at the exact same time, and the appointment of the former Bournemouth boss proves that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) want a regime and style toward fearlessness, intense pressing, and lightning-fast transitions which was opposite to what supporters were witness during Arne Slot second season in charge.
But to play Iraola’s heavy-metal style, you need the right tools. With Mohamed Salah allowed to leave for nothing, alongside the free-transfer exits of Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate and speculation reports growing over Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Alisson Becker futures the squad needs a drastic injection of fresh blood.
Liverpool have already made their first purchase of the summer window spending around €40m on Osasuna’s Spain international winger Victor Munoz, but the recruitment team isn't stopping there. While PSG’s Bradley Barcola remains a premium target, Anfield hierachy have suddenly accelerated an unexpected pursuit for a new wide player.
The shock pursuit of Haissem Hassan
According to a report from Spanish outletEl Gol Digital, Liverpool have officially entered talks with Real Oviedo to sign 24-year-old Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan. The club reportedly feels highly 'confident' of getting a deal over the line.
The report states:
"‘Liverpool have entered into talks with Real Oviedo to sign Haissem Hassan , the 24-year-old Egyptian winger whose value has increased following his performance at the World Cup. The Anfield club are confident of completing the transfer for a fee below his €12 m (£10.2m) release clause, taking advantage of the fact that the Asturian side were relegated to the Second Division this season.’"El Gol Digital
For the Redsthis is a fascinating profile. We know they have the history of going for superstars and Hassan just caught the eye on the world cup stage most notably against defenders in the match vs Argentina. While he didn't score, he provided a crucial assist for Mostafa Ziko and finished the tournament with two appearances and 128 minutes played.
Because Oviedo suffered relegation to the Spanish second tier, the Reds look to have identified a massive bargain.
El Gol Digitalalso heavily implies that Cody Gakpo’s heavily rumoured move to Tottenham Hotspur is normal noting that Hassan would fit perfectly within the style of Andoni Iraola wants to play.
"‘ He fits in with the attacking rebuild Liverpool is undergoing after the departures of Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa and the definitive farewell of Mohamed Salah as the team’s icon. Oviedo, meanwhile, will have to decide between accepting a reduction from the €12 million price tag or waiting for a suitor to pay the full release clause before the transfer window closes.’"
What about Bradley Barcola?
Securing Hassan for a cut price fee doesn't necessarily rule out a blockbuster move for Liverpool's top target, Bradley Barcola, especially after RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande looks likely to be heading to Paris St Germain over Merseyside.
Fabrizio Romano dropped a massive update on Wednesday, revealing that Barcola’s situation in Paris has changed:
“Until last week, Barcola was untouchable; now I see him linked to several clubs. The reality, guys, is that Barcola is not untouchable. Barcola has serious possibilities to leave Paris in the summer transfer window. I maintain my information since April and I stand by my information.
“Don’t forget also Liverpool, because both Liverpool and Arsenal are calling for Barcola. Liverpool have the player on the very top of their shortlist since the summer transfer window 2025, and Liverpool remain interested in Barcola. Barcola is also appreciated by Arsenal, but he is not position number one. Position number one is Rogers, position number two is Barcola, and there are more options in terms of wingers. So that’s the situation at Arsenal.
“Then, important to mention for PSG, he is not untouchable because the new contract talks are completely, completely on standby, stalling for a long time. So Barcola-PSG at the moment, there is no agreement over a new deal, and also important to say, PSG would ask for important money. So who’s going to sign Barcola? It’s not just about the interest, it’s also about the package of money they’re going to present to Paris Saint-Germain. So that’s the situation.”
If Liverpool can pair his explosive potential with a marquee signing like Barcola, this terrifying summer rebuild might just turn into a masterclass.
Add us as a preferred source on Google