Liverpool getting close to signing a second new player this summer – someone you might not have heard of yet!
Liverpool are reportedly ready to make their first offer to sign Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Rațiu in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Manager Andoni Iraola, who has already been given funds to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, is looking to strengthen the defense again by turning to La Liga.
Liverpool currently have Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley as their right-back options, but now they are also linked with the talented Rațiu. The 28-year-old is seen as one of the most underrated players in Spain’s top league. He has played 102 games for Vallecano since joining three years ago.
According to SportsBoom, Frimpong is expected to remain the first-choice right-back next season, but Iraola wants strong competition for the spot and believes Rațiu can step up to the Premier League. It’s unclear how this will affect academy graduate Bradley.
Rațiu is very experienced, having played 38 times for the Romanian national team. He was named Romanian Footballer of the Year and played a major part in Vallecano’s run to the UEFA Conference League Final this year, where they lost to Crystal Palace.
Iraola thinks Rațiu is great value in today’s transfer market and capable of getting regular game time. Vallecano want around £25 million for the right-back and are in a strong position to demand that. Rațiu signed a long-term contract with the club in November 2025 and is tied down for four more years. Still, Liverpool believe they can reach a deal, possibly including some appealing add-ons.
Last season was tough at right-back for Liverpool. They lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid after his contract ended, and injuries to Frimpong and Bradley left manager Arne Slot scrambling for options. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai even filled in right-back roles, but it drained the midfield and hurt the team. So it makes sense that Iraola is keen to fix this position in his first summer at Anfield.
Liverpool will also announce another signing soon when defender Jeremy Jacquet joins after his £55 million move from Rennes. He signed the deal in the winter but finished the season in Ligue 1. Jacquet suffered a serious shoulder injury but is recovering well and should be ready for pre-season training next month.
Another defender, 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni, is also on track for pre-season after recovering from a knee injury he got last September. He hasn’t played since his debut but is making progress.
Overall, Liverpool are busy making key signings to strengthen the squad ahead of next season.