Liverpool transfer news took another turn on deadline day as Andoni Iraola finished the summer without three players who had entered Liverpool’s plans at different points. The Reds secured Bradley Barcola in a deal worth about £123m, yet the arrival did not settle every issue after Mohamed Salah’s departure. Liverpool pushed for other options too, but Brighton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth each stood firm.
Liverpool transfer news: Three targets missed
1. Yankuba Minteh
Minteh became one of the clearest names on Liverpool’s shortlist after Iraola admitted his squad lacked enough wingers. Liverpool tested Brighton twice, first with £50m and then with £60m, but the Seagulls rejected both bids and held out for about £70m for the 22-year-old.
His representatives kept hope alive on deadline day, yet Brighton never softened its position. Liverpool therefore ended the window without the right-sided option it had chased for much of August.
2. Ismaïla Sarr
Sarr emerged as the next experienced choice after the Minteh talks stalled. The 28-year-old offered Premier League experience and reportedly fancied a switch to Anfield. Palace, however, repeatedly resisted. Reports put Liverpool’s approach below £40m, while other claims suggested an opening offer around £50m, but Palace maintained that it did not want to sell before the deadline.
By September 1, Palace had rejected Liverpool’s offer and remained adamant about keeping Sarr. Liverpool then chose not to force the issue, particularly after deciding to keep Cody Gakpo following Manchester City’s £80m offer.
3. Alex Scott
Alex Scott represented a different problem for Iraola. The Bournemouth midfielder had worked with the Liverpool head coach previously, linking an interesting one for a side seeking more bite in central midfield. Yet Bournemouth drew a hard line over his future.
Chelsea reportedly tested the waters with a £64m offer and received a firm rejection, while Liverpool’s interest never developed into a completed agreement. Bournemouth’s stance left Scott at the Vitality Stadium, ending another possible addition for Iraola.
Read: £30m signing helps seal 25-year-old decision for Liverpool on Deadline Day
Liverpool still spent heavily on Barcola, but the gaps created by Salah’s departure and midfield changes remain visible. Liverpool transfer news now centres on whether Barcola, Gakpo, Victor Muñoz and the existing squad can cover enough ground on the right while Iraola reshapes his side. The summer window has closed, and those missed deals will keep attracting scrutiny.
