16 Jul 2026 15:36:22
Hi all,
Liverpool have pivoted to Rayan of Bournemouth as an alternative to Diomande. Iraola is said to be pushing for the move.
16 Jul 2026 16:19:11
I love you, Victor.
16 Jul 2026 16:19:54
Thanks Victor, I would prefer him tbh!
16 Jul 2026 16:20:00
Victor, you beautiful man, I so hope this is true.
16 Jul 2026 16:23:36
Victor, do you believe we're interested in both Rayan and Barcola? Or just one of them?
16 Jul 2026 16:25:37
£25 million in January, played 15 Premier League games, Bournemouth will now ask for 3/4 times that amount. Makes you wonder why we can't buy this sort of player.
{Ed001's Note - because they don't want to come to us and sit on the bench. They need regular football to get used to the Prem and establish themselves.}
16 Jul 2026 16:29:03
Was literally about to ask this, Vic, as read it on Football 365 in last hour, but never trust articles online, your post, however, adds significant weight to it - I hope this is true.
Already knows the manager, and the league much preferred over YD.
16 Jul 2026 16:34:10
VG, this could be amazing news. I'm certainly all for that rather than deal with Diomande's agency...
Fingers crossed...
16 Jul 2026 16:34:25
Mr Mayor Humdinger, we did sign Rio 2 years ago for £2.4m. He has gone on to feature for us, and his value has increased a lot based off this season.
16 Jul 2026 16:36:58
Personally, I prefer him over Diomande. The club would like to sign both players.
I would advise caution before excitement, as the interest is currently at a foundation level. No club to club talks have taken place yet but the player is open to the switch.
A key factor in the deal will be the price tag. If Bournemouth command a massive fee, which they very well could, I can see us walking away from discussions quite quickly.
16 Jul 2026 16:38:55
Good news if we don't spend a fortune. Anything over 50-60mn would be overpaying for the lad. He has a lot of potential, but is very raw right now. He has pace and power, but technically his touch can be a bit loose a lot of times.
16 Jul 2026 16:45:42
They'll want £130m, so this isn't happening.
16 Jul 2026 16:54:39
Rayan rejected our advances and signed for Bournemouth instead. I love this mentality. He wanted to prove himself and have a chance of playing every week and showcasing his talent.
16 Jul 2026 17:00:09
Also when I say both players, I mean Barcola and Rayan. Diomande will not be a Liverpool player.
16 Jul 2026 17:08:15
Can anyone tell me what Rayan has done to warrant us signing him for silly money? To warrant us signing him at all, in fact?
Anyone?
16 Jul 2026 17:22:33
They're looking for 50m+ sell on clauses, is what I have heard, and that's a good deal. Didn't see much of him for Brazil, but yea he brings in lots of flair.
16 Jul 2026 17:24:55
Goddamn Victor, one to keep an eye on.
16 Jul 2026 17:31:31
That's fantastic news. I really hope we pull this one off.
16 Jul 2026 17:33:10
Can't see them selling for £50m plus extras, even though he's relatively unproven and very raw.
16 Jul 2026 17:37:15
When you say pivot I just have a mental image of Dicky Hughes trying to get a three piece sofa up a flight of stairs.
16 Jul 2026 17:52:44
That would ruffle his do, can't see him being the manual labour type he's too well turned out.
16 Jul 2026 17:53:33
They'll be looking for nearer £100m. Supply and demand - not enough quality right wingers currently, and he is now a full Brazilian international.
16 Jul 2026 17:56:24
Great news, RBL can keep their little scam artist.
16 Jul 2026 17:21:39
Because Andoni knows more about professional football than you ever will?
Anyone? Else!
16 Jul 2026 18:17:17
Have no problem with Rayan for the RW position.
If Dickie can square the story with his bosses regarding him costing Bournemouth £25m just 6 months ago, then fine by me.
Let's not get it twisted though, Diomande is a much better player than Rayan.
16 Jul 2026 18:25:24
As a person who works in Brazilian football and sees plenty of young and experienced Brazilian players regularly, I honestly don't get the hype about Rayan.
16 Jul 2026 18:46:08
Rayan is on par with Diomande and has Premier League experience, albeit little. He has shown he can perform in this league.
16 Jul 2026 18:53:28
This is more like it, a RW to play RW... who would have thought!?
16 Jul 2026 18:54:52
As desperate as we all are for signings, if we seriously spent £100m+ on this guy, I think I'd just give up on football. Literally had a couple of good games for Bournemouth and looked bang average in the rest. Even £50m feels like a rip off.
16 Jul 2026 18:54:56
Haven't a clue, Riosstepover. Think this would be an even worse buy than Barcola for the money we'd pay. I'd still prefer Diomande out of the three, although I realise the chances of that happening now are slim. Hate the thought of blowing silly money for the sake of it. Bowen makes more and more sense everyday.
16 Jul 2026 18:53:53
Is this the arseholery Ned was referencing?
{Ed001's Note - SAK? Defo, that's why he is the next ban.}
16 Jul 2026 19:18:57
Exactly the sort, VG, and nice one for the update, Nate.
16 Jul 2026 19:22:53
Don't listen to them, Vic! Thanks for the info... I'd be much happier with Rayan over Diomande. Al, cheers mate.
16 Jul 2026 19:44:32
That's good news, VG. Appreciate it. I like the line up of Barcola and Rayan. That's quality.
16 Jul 2026 21:04:14
I don't think anyone has attacked Vic for the info. More questioning the decision.
16 Jul 2026 21:36:54
Don't know much about Rayan.
Ran him through Squawka comparison with Diomande and Barcola, and the numbers don't stack up on there to match chat about potential transfer fee.
Those are just data points tho.
Is there a player profile on him?
Or, from those who watch him regularly, able to shed any insight?
And not just whether he is good or not good lol. Be nice to read something a bit more in-depth from anyone who knows.
16 Jul 2026 21:54:05
Can anyone share an objective view of Rayan?
With limited time, I only ever watch highlights of other PL teams, never full games, so it's hard to form an opinion on a player like Rayan, but I watched Brazil's games in the WC, as my best friend is Brazilian, and I thought Rayan was kind of lazy.
Mostly a passenger, bar a few explosive moments.
He looked like he had great power and speed, but didn't seem to do a lot off the ball. Now, that could come to being tired after the season or whatever, hence why I'm asking for others' opinion.
17 Jul 2026 00:45:21
Rayan is not a bad player. He holds and carries the ball well, he's strong, he's efficient. But anyone hoping for joga bonito will be disappointed, he's much, much closer to Gabriel Jesus than he is to Dinho or R9 in style.
Personally, I think the club should be looking to sign Gabriel Mec, only 16, almost 17, but he will be the next big talent from Brazil.
Ceiling is sky high for him, and, mentally speaking, he's very sensible and ahead of his years, and has a good family to keep him straight and narrow. If anyone has ties with the club, please tell them to scout this guy. He will be worth it.
I've worked directly with him a couple of times.
17 Jul 2026 01:23:22
@Nevada, I've heard good things about Gabriel Mec, but the one I've heard about is 18 (not 16), playing for Gremio. Same player? If he is 18, then it would make it a lot easier to get him.
I see Chelsea tried to pick him up when he was 16 for 24mill (presumably would cost a lot more now), but was advised not to, so re-signed with Gremio.
17 Jul 2026 04:12:15
Same guy @phil_LFC, I confused his age with another talented young player. He does play for Gremio. I know him from the Brazil youth set up.
He might be under contract, but one thing about Brazil is everyone is for sale at the right price, and it's generally a very cheap market. The biggest issue is UK work permits, really. Wages, fees and bonuses are cheap.
17 Jul 2026 09:46:50
Isak, Ekitike, Barcola and Rayan look like a promising group to play up front. Personally, I have reservations about Barcola, but I can't really judge as I've only seen the lad play about 4 or 5 times.
17 Jul 2026 10:17:24
I hope and believe you are spot on, 007, and Iraola knows more about football than me.
If the club do sign Rayan, then I will support him 100%, but I just haven't seen anything from him in the games I've watched to suggest he's anywhere near good enough.
Based on his PL performances, it would seem a strange choice, but I'll trust the club have done their due diligence and not just thrown money at a reputation because they didn't get their first choice target.