Liverpool may have just seen Andoni Iraola's next transfer project after $81M masterclass

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Liverpool FC NewsTransfer NewsLiverpool FCAndoni Iraola has built quite the reputation for developing young players, and the new Liverpool may have just seen his next project after an outstanding World Cup performanceAndoni Iraola may have just seen his perfect next transfer project(Image: Getty Images)As bad an idea as it is to make transfer decisions based off one game at the World Cup, anyone watching Brazil vs Morocco wouldn’t have been able to help themselves get excited about Ayyoud Bouaddi.Coming up against such big names like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Gabriel and Liverpool’s own Alisson Becker, the 18-year-old never looked out of place. In fact, he absolutely belonged on that huge stage.Bouaddi produced a display against the five-time world champions that belied his young age.

According to Fabrizio Romano, contact has been made by Liverpool, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, with the Lille midfielder said to have been watched for some time.It’s no secret that the Reds need to add some legs to its engine room this summer, and although Bouaddi’s age might raise some eyebrows, it speaks volumes of his talent that there was no hesitation to throw him straight in for one of the biggest tests you can face on the international stage.Ayyoub Bouaddi didn't look out of place against big stars like Vinicius Junior(Image: Getty Images)"It was not a risk to play him just because he's 18," Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after Saturday’s game."I only look at players' performance, not the age of the player. He could be 35, and if he plays well, he'll play, or 17."I'm not the guy to be afraid of playing youngsters, we were sure and certain that he'd have a big match, and so it wasn't a risk at all - it wasn't the kind of match for taking risks against Brazil."Maybe it's because he's a new player that everyone's got so excited, it was his first match at international level, an important match at his young age, but he's not short of experience."Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Dean Huijsen, Alex Scott, Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan are just some of the names now being touted for big money transfers, or already plying their trade for the world’s biggest club in the case of Huijsen.Liverpool fans will rightly be excited about what that could mean for someone like Rio Ngumoha now, but Iraola may have just seen his next project in Bouaddi.Reports are suggesting that Lille could demand up to $81 million - a figure that may well go up if he continues to impress at the World Cup. It may still be too early to judge him, but the chance for Iraola to work with Bouaddi sounds like a very tantalizing prospect for Liverpool.James Findlater James Findlater is a Content Editor for Liverpool.com, bringing nearly a decade of experience to his coverage of Liverpool FC and the wider football landscape.