Iraola's £170m Rebuild Begins: Liverpool Lock Down Double Signing Plan

Andoni Iraola's arrival at Liverpool has been rubber-stamped, and the rebuilding project is already taking shape. The 43-year-old manager—confirmed on Tuesday morning by Fabrizio Romano—will inherit a squad in considerable flux, but FSG has given him the financial green light to reshape matters in his image.

The plan is to restore Liverpool to the aggressive, front-foot football of the Klopp era, and Iraola's first two additions could command a combined fee of £170m. It's a statement of intent that suggests the club's hierarchy are serious about their tactical reset.

Ordonez to Shore Up the Back

With Ibrahima Konate departing on a free transfer, Liverpool have identified Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez as his successor. The 22-year-old Ecuadorian has made a considerable impression during three seasons in Belgium, establishing himself as one of Europe's most exciting young centre-backs.

According to TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey, Brugge are now willing to part with the 6ft 2in defender for approximately £40m. Bailey notes that Liverpool's recruitment team have conducted thorough work on defensive targets, with Ordonez's athleticism, composure in possession, and aggressive defending in open play all catching the eye of decision-makers at Anfield. The fee has only sharpened the club's interest.

Diomande: The Salah Successor

With Mohamed Salah also leaving on a free transfer, Liverpool have turned their attention to RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande to fill the void on the wing. The 19-year-old Ivorian has reportedly given his blessing to the move, despite PSG also circling.

Liverpool are prepared to outbid the French giants for his services, which should smooth the path to personal terms once a deal with Leipzig is struck. The German club initially sought around €100m (£86m), but BILD now reports they believe they can extract as much as €150m (£130m)—particularly if a bidding war develops between the two suitors.

It's not unprecedented for Liverpool to splash such sums. They broke their transfer record twice last summer when signing Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, and Diomande could become their third nine-figure acquisition.

Time is of the essence, however. Romano has indicated Diomande wants his next move sorted before the World Cup kicks off on June 11, adding urgency to negotiations.

The squad Iraola inherits will look drastically different from the current one. Beyond those departing on free transfers, Curtis Jones faces interest from Inter Milan, while Federico Chiesa has been granted permission to return to Italy. Jeremy Jacquet is arriving from Rennes to bolster the centre-back ranks, but there's clearly more work to do.