Echo

Andoni Iraola backed to complete £80m Liverpool transfer after Chelsea bid rejected

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.


Andoni Iraola has been open about Liverpool needing to improve their squad this summerAndoni Iraola has been told he could be instrumental in helping to convince Alex Scott to join Liverpool this summer. But with the Spaniard having now joined Liverpool following Arne Slot’s sacking, former Reds midfielder Vladimir Smicer has backed Iraola to lure Scott to Anfield this summer.“I think you can expect Andoni Iraola would like to take Alex Scott because he knows what he can do,” the 2005 Champions League hero said, via Casinostugan.“To be honest, in midfield we need a bit more spark with people who are fighting but are clever going forward, turning quickly with the ball and finding strikers.“Of course, we expect a lot from (Florian) Wirtz to do this.



Only (Dominik) Szoboszlai was a top player in midfield for the whole season.“In midfield you need competition, and Scott can be a great asset because he's only twenty-two and is playing regularly for the England youth teams.“He's a good prospect and a local guy from the UK. I don't know if he would love to play for Liverpool, but not many players would turn them down.“He's got a good chance now because Andoni Iraola is the new manager.

If he likes him, I think we can find the money.”Scott still has two years left on his contract at Bournemouth but is believed to have turned down a new contract from the club.Although he hopes the England international remains at the Vitality Stadium, Cherries legend Steve Fletcher has told whoever signs Scott that they will be getting a 'phenomenal player'.“He's phenomenal and he's been phenomenal, especially from January onwards,” the Bournemouth striking icon said.“He wasn’t the only one, though, who was phenomenal last season. He was magnificent.“He’s not only a good player, he’s a good person as well, and he has taken everything in his stride; he gets on with his work and is a true professional.“We wish him all the success with whatever happens, but I’m just hoping he stays under the AFC Bournemouth badge for the foreseeable future.”FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!