Liverpool could sign World Cup star after Man City mega transfer

Liverpool's transfer window is starting to gather pace, and according to the Mirror, Manchester City's move to sign Elliot Anderson could have significant consequences at Anfield. Andoni Iraola has already seen Liverpool invest heavily, with the arrival of Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a £34.5 million deal, and the transfer of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes potentially worth up to £60 million. Now, the next phase of reconstruction may depend on both departures and arrivals.

The Mirror reports that Anderson's imminent £116million signing from Nottingham Forest could leave Forest searching for a midfield replacement, with Curtis Jones being considered. Jones is entering the final year of his Liverpool contract, which changes the conversation. The report claims he "could leave the club for £35 million", a fee well below what Liverpool would demand if his contract were to last longer. Inter Milan's £21.7m bid was never enough to satisfy Liverpool. Forest, armed with new resources, could be in a better position to test the club's mettle.


Jones has previously made clear his desire to spend his career at Anfield. This feeling has weight, especially for a youth player who understands the club and has already provided important moments. However, football rarely operates on feelings alone. Liverpool now face three options: renew his contract, sell him this summer or risk losing him for free in 2027. The Mirror notes that "it looks more likely that the Merseysiders will sell this summer and maximize profit on their academy product." For Liverpool, this would be a pragmatic decision. Iraola needs resources, flexibility and players fully aligned with its long-term plan. Jones has quality, intelligence and academy value, but his contract position weakens Liverpool's position.

The least welcome development for Liverpool concerns Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Lille midfielder has become one of the most talked about young players in Europe, and the Mirror credits Marca with reporting that City have entered the contest. Bouaddi, worth around £69m, has attracted interest from big clubs including Real Madrid and PSG. The report describes him as comparable to "players like Rodri and Fabinho", which explains why Liverpool's interest seems logical. Liverpool's midfield still needs careful management. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai look central to Iraola's plans, while Alexis Mac Allister's future continues to attract scrutiny amid links to Real Madrid. The Mirror writes that Mac Allister "struggled to maintain his previous levels playing under Arne Slot last season", although Iraola wants to assess him properly before making any major decisions.

Bouaddi would represent a major signing. At 18, he fits Liverpool's modern recruitment model: elite potential, high technical ceiling and resale value. City's presence complicates things. They can offer money, structure and a clear midfield succession plan. Liverpool, however, could offer a central role in a new project under Iraola. This is where theSummer becomes fascinating. Selling Jones could help fund a serious move for Bouaddi, but Liverpool must avoid weakening their depth before strengthening their starting XI. There are opportunities here, but also risks. City's move for Anderson could indirectly help Liverpool by forcing Forest towards Jones, but City's entry into the race for Bouaddi could hamper Liverpool's ideal midfield rebuild. For Iraola, this is the sharp edge of Liverpool's first transfer window. Every decision now has consequences. From Liverpool's perspective, this report falls into that uncomfortable space between sensible squad planning and emotional frustration. Curtis Jones is one of ours. He had big nights, big goals and periods when he looked exactly the kind of pressure-resistant midfielder Liverpool should be building around. Letting him go for anything close to £35m would seem small, especially in a market where Anderson is being discussed at £116m. However, the contract changes everything. Liverpool cannot keep moving players towards free agency and then be surprised when the value disappears. We've seen enough of this in recent years. If Jones doesn't want to re-sign, or if Iraola doesn't see him as essential, then selling him now is a ruthless decision, not a reckless one. Bouaddi is the exciting part. He looks like the kind of player Liverpool fans love to imagine before the rest of Europe catches on. Young, elegant, physical, composed, with that midfielder profile that we have been wanting since Fabinho's decline. The concern is obvious, as once City are seriously involved the price and pressure mount quickly. Liverpool need to be decisive. If the money from selling Jones helps finance Bouaddi, fans can accept the pain. If Jones leaves the club and Bouaddi ends up at City, that would tell a very different story.