Andoni Iraola has revealed what Liverpool are seeking in their continued search for new wingers as they move closer to a £120million agreement for Bradley Barcola. The Reds have struck an outline deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Barcola, having been engaged in discussions with the Champions League winners for some time.
Substantial headway was achieved overnight on Wednesday, with a transfer being negotiated that includes a guaranteed sum of just over £100m, with performance-related clauses potentially lifting the total expenditure up to around £120m. The specifics of the proposed deal are yet to be finalised and the Liverpool Echo have said there remains considerable work to be done for the transfer to go through.
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The Reds wish to further strengthen their attacking capabilities, and have been evaluating a transfer for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr after being informed Brighton want close to £80m for Yankuba Minteh.
And while declining to comment on Liverpool's current transfer activity, Iraola has outlined what will be demanded from whoever arrives over the coming days.
"I think for a club like us we need wingers who can make the difference, who can be the man who can make the difference in isolation, who can attack the spaces, who can also do the defensive work that we are going to demand from them in terms of pressing or sometimes following the full-backs," said the Reds head coach.
"And also if they can provide numbers then it's perfect. It is difficult to find someone who can tick all the boxes, but it is what we are trying to do."
Despite having been aware since at least March that Mohamed Salah would be departing in the summer, Liverpool have found it hard to secure a replacement on the right flank.
Iraola, however, is adopting a measured outlook regarding the Reds' late efforts to strengthen their attacking options.
"I definitely would have preferred to have the wingers ready on the first day (of training)," he said.
"The same for every position. But I understand that it's not easy in the market and the wingers that we are trying to sign, they are of a high level.
"They are wanted by a lot of clubs, and I think it's very difficult also for the club to close those situations.
"But as long as we arrive at the right place at the end and we sign the right players, I think it would be worth it even if they haven't been with us in pre-season."
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