New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has had a slower summer in the transfer market than his predecessor enjoyed this time last year.
The Reds’ frenetic few months breaking their club transfer record twice and splurging over £400 million as champions of England perhaps contributed to the downfall of Arne Slot, whose heightened expectations came back to bite him when reported links earlier this month – but more sense.
For a start, the 19-year-old has worked with Iraola before and has a clear track record not just of tearing up full-backs in this league, but delivering goals, too, with five goals in just 15 appearances thus far.
Rayan is far more than just a poacher, though, having proved himself as a high-intensity presser on the right flank who will run himself into the ground – and with Liverpool needing to find the best combination of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai, trying to accommodate another high-output superstar might be too tricky to co
Signing a teenager instead would allow Iraola a little grace, while his work-rate can help establish the tone: goals and assists wouldn’t be expected of Rayan right away, as he instead looks to work within a system and platform the players around him.
The sticking point is, of course, the price, with Rayan likely to command the kind of fee that one would expect from a ready-made superstar, despite less than six months of Premier League experience under his belt.
With Bournemouth adamant that their starlet can’t leave on the cheap – especially with Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott courting attention from the elite – Liverpool may be better off throwing their weight behind a big-money, proven star who can alleviate some of the pressure from the likes of Isak and Wirtz.
Yet with big names come expectations: perhaps Iraola would be far better placed to invest in someone who can get the most from the big names he already has right now.
Rayan is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt. The Reds begin their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United.