08 Aug 2026 14:07:50
Well that one caught me off guard, Araujo signing on loan was not what I had on my bingo card.
I know we needed a body in there but for me it smells a bit desperate. I'm not saying he will be a bad signing, it's a risky one tho. As we will need to probably sign 2 defenders next summer, especially if Gomez and Virgil leave at the end of their contracts. The fact that it's a loan, also suggests funds are tight.
Considering we were linked to Konsa who would of cost £60-70m. I'm sure there was cheaper options out there as well. Just seems like an odd signing to me.
For me what this deal for Araujo signals, is that outside the deal for Barcola. We will not be seeing any big money midfield signings unless players are shifted.
08 Aug 2026 14:47:38
That definitely adds up, particularly if payment structure on the Barcola deal is more upfront. So we should only expect a true right wing option if Gakpo is sold, and a Wharton type signing if MacAllister goes? Possibly Camara for Jones?
To be honest, I would be pretty happy with the squad in any eventuality, though would prefer a specialist right winger.
Cheers.
08 Aug 2026 14:49:50
Hmm, @TheFields, could funds be tight because we have a few deals we need to do, one of which might be the expensive midfielder that VG had heard a whisper about?
Of course, everything could still be dependent on sales, but I'm struggling to see the link between this loan and other targets.
Anyway, I'm still going to cling to the excitement from VG's post. :)
08 Aug 2026 14:51:11
I believe there is a EUR55m option to buy, TheFields. I'm not sure it's desperate or related to a lack of funds personally. I do agree it's a gamble. It's a low risk gamble though, because if he doesn't do well he'll just go back to Barcelona next summer and we'll move on and spend that EUR55m on someone else.
We all agreed we needed a RB/CB option to come in.
It's not the Kounde I wanted, but it's also not as grim as if we'd signed Spence or Tomori just because they're English! If Iraola can get Araujo and Van Dijk working well together, that's a formidable duo. They're both extremely dominant in duels.
Iraola certainly seems to be after a bit of Spanish influence! Makes me think he'll like Mac Allister.
08 Aug 2026 14:51:39
Does feel like we are being tight in defence reinforcements, to maybe broker the Barcola deal. Potentially the RW fella also?... That's my hope anyway. 1 thing is for sure, we won't be fully operational for the new season. Still a few players short, and a few we carry without any real confidence to play.
08 Aug 2026 14:52:15
Cheers, TheFields.
It is certainly a surprise.
Perhaps this buys them another year in their longer term pursuit of Huijsen and Acheampong who could become restless at their clubs?
Also, wondering if Araujo coming in to cover RCB and RB allows us to shift our focus to getting Daniel Banjaqui, who Marques is a huge fan of.
I am still hopeful we can do something important in midfield. I saw Palace have submitted a bid for Lamine Camara. We host Monaco tomorrow. Might it force us to step in?
Re Virgil, I can see a world where he gets an extension if he starts the season well again.
08 Aug 2026 15:07:29
Prior to signing Munoz & Araujo, I didn't see any reference to these guys on here... No ITK posters delivered this scoop.
We were all reading about Diomande, Wharton, Barcola etc....
I think that there are no internal leaks giving tips, it's all bits from lazy journalism.
I don't see us signing any of these big names tbh....
Hopefully you can prove me wrong, guys. ?
08 Aug 2026 15:10:22
Think maybe everyone reads into everything too much. Could be that. Could be just an opportunity was presented to sign a player and the club thought it was a good idea/deal.
08 Aug 2026 15:15:38
Not from me, but according to ITKSpace, we had our hearts set on Schlotterbeck as our CB signing this summer, but, due to his injury, we put that on hold to see how he recovers, with the idea that we will review in Jan/Summer.
Under these circumstances, getting in Araujo as cover for a year makes sense; we can see how he does. If he succeeds, we can choose to buy, or, if not, we can let him return.
08 Aug 2026 15:19:22
Financially it's a low-risk gamble, but in terms of football, it could be very high risk indeed, given his injury record. Seemingly low-risk up-front financial commitments are often inherently high-risk in the long run.
We've got ourselves a bit of a high-mileage Maserati, in my opinion. It'll go like stink, alright, but for how long. Very good player when fit and on form. Let's hope he stays that way. Looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
08 Aug 2026 15:23:02
Joel Ordonoz in January, when he's fit, would be an ideal signing.
08 Aug 2026 15:31:16
Seems like to me the leaks are being plugged.
08 Aug 2026 15:32:26
Didn't know how to feel about it at first, but overall it makes sense. We definitely needed a body there and the best options were either not available or quite expensive. Might be wishful thinking, but if this helps us get Schlotterbeck and Banjaqui next season, instead of being stuck with the likes of Spence and Konsa, I'm more than ok with it.
08 Aug 2026 15:34:44
I'd be amazed if we don't replace Salah on the right.
Considering Iraola loves wingers, and right-winger Semenyo was probably his all-time best player, and Mo Salah being Liverpool's best player since Steven Gerrard.
And we're led to believe Diomande was the only option we had? So we're leaving it until next summer when we need to replace VVD as well?
Nah I'm not having it.
The leaks have been stopped, it's clear the ITK's know way less than before, and that's because the club's lips are tight this summer, we're gonna go massive towards the end of the window and replace Mo Salah with a superstar.
08 Aug 2026 15:36:23
Wonder if it means Gakpo looks likely to leave and is clearing up a non HG spot? If rumoured Mbaye and Barcola go through, can only see a midfielder coming in if some players move on.
Curtis looks likely to and if a non HG (or more than one) we may go for a midfielder, or maybe one that qualifies as HG.
If Macca and Curtis went, I would like Wharton, but Chiesa or Endo going would also make room for non HG player.
08 Aug 2026 15:39:10
Chewy, see I literally just read your above comment and thought there, that's the balanced sensible reaction I meant, then seen it was you. Haha.
Cautious, wary, but hopeful and just let's see how it goes before judgment.
Because nobody knows.
08 Aug 2026 15:51:15
A great signing of a player who needs some love and the crowd on his side. He will crush it, injuries permitting, in my opinion. We need a right back who can really defend.
08 Aug 2026 15:53:22
I think I said before, but my sources are not from within the club. Rather agents. Who have particularly loud mouths.
As far as club leaks being plugged, I stopped getting info from club sources a very, very long time ago. You hear whispers etc., but usually that's from Anfield staff and not so much the board.
08 Aug 2026 16:19:55
Looks a good signing to me, plus if we're in for multiple other targets, our money maybe spoken for relating to those players, don't think money is tight just allocated to new players not yet boxed off.
Fingers crossed we get both PSG guys at the least and move on a couple of fringe players to make room for them. Still think moving Gomez on once fit is a must of nothing else but to save on his wages.
08 Aug 2026 16:25:32
We discussed the "plugging of the gaps" last season, when there was a lot of disinformation put out. I'm similar to VG, as most of my contacts are agents/players management. So, it's not really affected what I hear too much. I do have a couple of contacts at the club tho on the non-transfer side of things. Info is certainly harder to come by from the club.
From the stuff I've heard, he wasn't first or even 2nd choice. Again, that may just be agents doing what they do best.
We won't be getting any other defensive reinforcements, so I suspect he will cover RB if necessary as well. Unless someone leaves.
As for the club's finances, there were whispers we couldn't afford what PSG want for Barcola. Hence the hold up whilst they get the targets they want and get better terms. Outside of that, I don't see any massive outlay until players leave and there are 4 or 5 that could go. It's going to be a long couple of weeks.
08 Aug 2026 16:35:40
Is Endo available for sale? Gakpo, Chiesa?
Tsimi has to go - he's using an OS place up for no good reason.
Gomez may as well.
Leave now.
08 Aug 2026 16:50:17
With respect, is it a risk? Risk is 120 million plus on young players without PL experience. Risk is 100 million plus previous signings we've made for players with poor injury records. You can spin it and suggest that the loaning of a player from a club like Barcelona is always of a decent standard and likely there to impress at Liverpool due to limited options.
08 Aug 2026 18:27:24
@Thefields, you may be right about the money situation. But getting him on loan can also imply they are prioritizing other positions. I didn't expect us to spend big on a CB in this window. When and if Barcola is signed, the club needs to offload one more Non-HGP. So the most likely scenario is from Chiesa/Endo/Gakpo we will sell/loan 2. The obvious 2 is Chiesa and Endo, but no one may come for them. If the club manages to offload just one, they may be forced to sell Gakpo in order to sign another player.
I hope we keep Gakpo. He still has 4 years left on his contract. We need cover for CF, he has experience, and he will be worth more next season if he has a better season.
So Liverpool doesn't have a lot of room to maneuver in the market. After Barcola everything depends on players going out.
I see now what Carra/Robbo (cant remember which one) meant when they said the dominos have to fall.
08 Aug 2026 18:39:24
Kloppdogg, when I see your name, I automatically know the comment is pure drivel, and there's no point in me even reading it!
That's a complete lie btw, I'm only winding you up! I judge nobody by their username, except Florian! ? The best part of a forum like this is the variety of opinions. If we all agreed on everything, the site would be barren. I feel a big thank you to the Ed's for putting up with us (me) is appropriate about now.
08 Aug 2026 19:25:54
With the Fields saying we are struggling on finances, what do all the posters say now about letting players run down their contracts n leaving for free? Iv said for ages that if they don't sign within the last 18 months of their contracts, we try our hardest to get them out the door, but some posters say if won't be a good look, blah blah, the same ones who demand we pay whatever it takes, we can't continue with this madness n expect to spend big.
08 Aug 2026 21:09:38
Chewy, Ha I can't even remember when I created that username. Many years ago.
And to be fair, I'd say it is mostly Drivil. Or maybe completely. Ha
I'll definitely not be finding out any transfer news, that's too sure. Just the daily obsessed visitor to the site who replies to comments nobody wants to hear.
?
At the end of the day, nothing on here changes a thing. What will be will be. And, I've a hell of a lot more to worry about than football or football gossip. This nonsense is a welcome escape.
09 Aug 2026 05:22:56
I see it as way less of a risk than spending 10s of millions on a player we may not want for the position.
And, we do have 2 Rolls Royce defenders coming through.
They are just young and raw, but they have massive upside.
I think this is the right approach that adds a 5th CB to the group, and still enables opportunity for the young bucks.
{Ed025's Note - these 2 Rolls/Royce,s you speak of have not passed their MOT yet Faith, they could even turn out to be Ford Pinto,s mate..
09 Aug 2026 10:57:21
25 - True, hence why I think Araujo move is good to add another layer before we have to throw them both out there straight away.