Liverpool have learned Andoni Iraola’s preferred next club as they ponder Arne Slot’s future on Merseyside.
The Catalan propelled Bournemouth into the Europa League with another impressive season, but declined to sign a new contract and left the club following the conclusion of the Premier League season.
He has proven a hot property in the manager market, too, with top clubs queuing up for a chance to woo him.
Chelsea were known to be interested in bringing Iraola in before they moved to sign Xabi Alonso, and Liverpool are also known to be among his suitors.
They will still face considerable competition for his signature, though. Standard Sport understands Crystal Palace have made him their first choice to replace Oliver Glasner, while a new report from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio suggests AC Milan, Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen are also in the running to sign him, as are Liverpool.
The report adds, however, that Iraola’s preference is to remain in the Premier League.
In any case, that news may not be terribly relevant to the Reds, who seem set to back Slot in spite of their dismal Premier League title defence. They invested heavily last summer, twice breaking the British transfer record, but were lucky to finish fifth after a rash of unfortunate injuries severely impacted their form.
Reporting from Teamtalk suggests Liverpool have no imminent plans to remove Slot, and are even going so far as to bolster his backroom staff with his countryman Etienne Reijnen.
The report adds that Liverpool’s hierarchy were encouraged by the fact the team still clinched a Champions League place in spite of their injury woes and form struggles, and they are expected to give the Dutchman further backing in the transfer market this summer.
Slot is also thought to appreciate such backing, but acknowledges that the club may soon run out of patience should he fail to win any silverware next season.
