Liverpool's Summer Transfer Plans and Past Failures
Liverpool are expected to be active in the summer transfer window under new manager Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after the club's fifth-place Premier League finish. The Reds have already made moves, signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5 million and Jeremy Jacquet for £60 million in a deal agreed in January. However, key players Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate have left on free transfers, leaving gaps to fill, especially in attack.
As Liverpool pursue new targets, they are mindful of past transfer collapses that left them embarrassed. The ECHO reviews four notable failed deals.
Marc Guehi: A Last-Minute Collapse
In the final weeks of the 2025 summer window, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi expressed his desire to leave with one year left on his contract. Liverpool saw him as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk and agreed a £35 million fee with Palace. Guehi passed his medical, but the deal fell through when Palace manager Oliver Glasner objected to the sale and a parallel move for Brighton's Igor Julio collapsed. Guehi later joined Manchester City in January.
Moises Caicedo: Record Bid Rejected
In August 2023, after losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Liverpool urgently needed a midfielder. They made a British record £111 million bid for Brighton's Moises Caicedo, which was accepted. Jurgen Klopp even confirmed the deal in a press conference, but Caicedo had already given his word to Chelsea. He refused to travel for a Liverpool medical and signed for Chelsea for £115 million. Liverpool then signed Wataru Endo as a fallback.
Nabil Fekir: A Deal That Fell Apart at the Last Moment
In 2018, Lyon captain Nabil Fekir, a World Cup winner with France, was on the verge of joining Liverpool. He completed a medical, had a shirt number assigned, and signed contracts. However, the deal collapsed at the eleventh hour. Initial reports cited concerns over a knee issue, but later claims suggested his agent demanded more money and fiscal payoffs, leading Liverpool to walk away on principle. The exact reason remains unclear. Fekir later joined Real Betis and is now a free agent after playing for Al Jazira.
Dani Alves: A Missed Opportunity Due to Penny-Pinching
In 2006, after winning the Champions League, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez targeted Sevilla right-back Dani Alves. Personal terms were agreed, and Alves was seen as a transformative signing. Sevilla wanted £8 million, but the Liverpool board refused to meet the price, instead spending £6.7 million on Jermaine Pennant. Alves stayed at Sevilla for two more seasons, winning consecutive UEFA Cups, before moving to Barcelona in 2008. He went on to win 43 trophies with Barcelona, Juventus, PSG, and others.
These failed deals serve as cautionary tales as Liverpool look to rebuild under Iraola. The club will hope to avoid similar embarrassments in the current window.
