Bournemouth winger Rayan is reportedly a player who is on Liverpool’s “list” ahead of next year, even though his £130m release clause may prove to be too big.
The Reds have made a stumbling start to this season, winning only one out of four Premier League games and not yet seeing the best of wide signings Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz.
Rayan was mentioned as an option for Liverpool during the summer transfer window, but he ended up remaining at Bournemouth, where Andoni Iraola will return this Sunday in the league.
Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke claimed that a move for the £130m-rated Brazil international is far from definite, but he is being eyed as a possible option:
“Well there’s obvious links between Rayan and the Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola after their time at Bournemouth. We know that Rayan has this release clause which becomes active next summer. It’s for £130million, so it’s a pretty hefty release clause.
“I don’t think Liverpool will be willing to pay that, but they’ve shown in the past that they will pay big money for top targets as they have done for Isak, Wirtz and Barcola recently.
“That release clause would probably be a bit expensive for Liverpool and a number of the other clubs interested in signing Rayan. But I’m sure he is a player that’s on their list because of the obvious links between the manager and the player as well, and maybe they could make a move in the future.”
Can Rayan be Mo Salah’s long-awaited replacement at Liverpool?
Not finding a tailor-made replacement for Mohamed Salah was one of many bizarre decisions at Liverpool during the summer, with Barcola at his best on the left wing.
In Rayan, though, the Reds would be signing a player with similar attributes from the right flank, from a great left foot to quick feet, and Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has lauded his qualities, saying:
“He did a complete job. Offensive and defensive. I am satisfied with the game he played. He is young, he has maturity and he works hard. Nobody knows the level he can reach.”
But as O’Rourke states, a move for Rayan may easily not happen, given his price tag, so it is important that Liverpool continue to look at alternative options, too.
