Liverpool are still working through their Mohamed Salah replacement plan, and their latest move suggests they are widening the search rather than waiting for one perfect option to emerge. Bournemouth winger Rayan has now been contacted this summer, with Liverpool also seeking Iraola’s assessment of the 19-year-old.
That is an important development because it shows Liverpool are not limiting themselves to one track. In March, the club agreed to allow Mohamed Salah to leave at the end of the season in order to pursue a new challenge, and since then they have continued to look for a winger who can help fill that gap.
Liverpool have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a deal worth around €40m, but the search has not stopped there. The Reds had initially targeted Yan Diomande, yet that route appears to have stalled after he chose a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Liverpool. Bradley Barcola is also being considered as another alternative if the Diomande pursuit does not work out.
Why Rayan is now on Liverpool's radar
The key detail is that Liverpool have not simply watched Rayan from afar. This summer, they made enquiries for Bournemouth’s winger and went directly to Iraola for an opinion on him. That matters because Iraola worked with Rayan in the second half of last season, so Liverpool have been able to gather a more rounded view of the player’s level and potential.
Iraola is understood to remain a huge admirer of the youngster and believes his ceiling is exceptionally high. That is the kind of endorsement Liverpool will always listen to, especially when they are trying to separate a realistic signing from a pure long-term project.
Rayan’s release clause is also a major part of the story. It stands at £130m, although it is not active until next year. That means Liverpool can track the situation now without facing an immediate final decision on that figure, but it also underlines how highly Bournemouth value him.
What Liverpool want from their next winger
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes the club’s thinking has to be more immediate than developmental. He said: “I don’t think Liverpool are in a position right now where they can buy another Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane-type project and hope they become elite. I think Liverpool need to buy players who are ready to go and perform immediately.”
That is the heart of the issue. Liverpool are not just looking for talent; they are looking for readiness. Warnock also pointed to Barcola as an example of the sort of profile that makes sense, saying: “It’s an interesting one. Do you go after Bradley Barcola? He predominantly plays on the left, but we know he’s capable of playing on both sides.”
He added: “The great thing about him is his age and, crucially, we already know he’s good enough at the very highest level. He’s played Champions League football, international football and proven himself already.”
Warnock also mentioned Désiré Doué as another name Liverpool should consider if they can make it happen, but his broader point was clear: if the top targets do not come through, Liverpool must find someone who can contribute quickly rather than waiting for a player to grow into the role.
The next step in Liverpool's search
For now, the picture is simple. Liverpool are still looking for a Salah replacement, even after signing Victor Munoz, and the search is clearly not over. Rayan is now part of that conversation, while Diomande and Barcola remain relevant names in the background.
The fact Liverpool have already made contact shows how seriously they are treating the position. Towards the end of the transfer window, that could become the decisive point: whether the club lands the finished article they want, or turns to another gem and hopes he develops into the player they need.
