Liverpool’s new manager has made his view on Florian Wirtz plain: if the club are to take a step forward this season, they will need the German to operate at a high level. The challenge now is putting him in the conditions that suit him best.

Wirtz arrived last summer in a move that was a club-record $156 million (£116 million) at the time, but his first year on Merseyside fell well short of expectation. He did not record a Premier League assist before December and had to wait until Christmas for his first goal in any competition. A short spell of improved form followed around the turn of the year, yet the overall campaign remained deeply disappointing.

Liverpool’s wider struggles were part of the same picture. The side failed to build on the title they won in 2024-25, which led to Arne Slot’s departure and the arrival of Iraola this summer. The new coach is already focused on finding a structure that lets Wirtz show the level that once made him the most expensive British transfer of all time.

The most obvious adjustment is positional. Wirtz is naturally a central attacking midfielder and did the vast majority of his best work for Bayer Leverkusen in the No. 10 role. Slot often used him on the wing last season, partly to fit Dominik Szoboszlai into the side and partly to reduce the physical demands of Premier League midfield play. Iraola has indicated he does not intend to follow that route.

“We need a very good version of Florian,” the incoming coach warned ahead of Liverpool’s preseason clash with Leeds United . “We know what he can give us. I think he’s also suited to our game model.

“I see him more probably in that position behind the striker. We know that he has played with Germany more on the left sometimes. But, I think we’re going to start working with him in that position behind the striker.”

That matters because Wirtz needs involvement to influence games. Last season he averaged around 16 fewer touches per 90 minutes than in his final Leverkusen campaign, while his dribbles, shots and expected assists all dropped. He was also no longer the sole attacking reference point, with Mohamed Salah demanding the ball from the other side.

Salah’s exit gives Iraola another reason to believe Wirtz can settle into the role more naturally. For a player who takes risks in the final third, the manager’s style may provide the freedom he lacked last season.

Real Madrid have reportedly sanctioned the sale of back-up striker Gonzalo García and Castilla talent César Palacios to Fulham in a combined deal worth $57.4 million (€50 million).

According to The Athletic, Gonzalo is valued at $46.1 million (€40 million), while Palacios accounts for $11.5 million (€10 million). Both agreements also contain a 30% sell-on clause.

The pair are said to be “keen” on linking up with their former manager in the Premier League, and they would arrive as Fulham’s first two additions of the summer. Swedish forward Jonah Kusi-Asare has also made a permanent move after his loan spell from Bayern Munich last season.

Interest in Gonzalo had been building across Europe since his breakthrough at the Club World Cup last summer, but Real Madrid were reluctant to let go of the No. 9, a player who drew comparisons with club legend Raúl.

Even so, his role became increasingly limited. Alonso and Arbeloa both restricted his minutes last season, and he started only nine La Liga matches. When Kylian Mbappé was injured later in 2025-26, Gonzalo was not even the first choice to step in, with Brahim Díaz instead used up top alongside Vinícius Júnior.

Despite the reduced opportunities, the Castilla product still finished with eight goals, including six in La Liga. His movement, finishing and work rate stood out whenever he featured, though those chances were rare, especially without Endrick involved.

Endrick is now back at the Bernabéu and wearing the No. 9 after a productive loan at Lyon. He registered eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances for the French side and is expected to provide cover for Mbappé next season under José Mourinho.

From Real Madrid’s perspective, moving on from Gonzalo while Fulham were prepared to pay $46.1 million is understandable, particularly with reports of Yan Diomande potentially arriving for a club-record $153.8 million (€135 million).

Still, the long view may look different. Real Madrid’s attack often lacked a natural centre-forward last season, and in 2026 they scored more than twice in only eight of 31 matches. The side missed a striker capable of attacking crosses and making decisive box runs, leaving the frontline heavily tilted toward Vinícius Jr on the left and Mbappé in central spaces.

As the 2026/27 season approaches, the transfer market is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Yet for clubs looking to strengthen without paying transfer fees, the free agent pool still offers some notable names.

Goalkeeper options are limited, but Stefan Ortega stands out after his short-term spell with Nottingham Forest ended without an extension following 10 appearances. Ørjan Nyland is also available after an impressive World Cup campaign with Norway, while Neto, Mathew Ryan, Steven Benda and Sergio Rico are among the other unattached keepers.

In defence, John Stones is the headline name. The former Man City centre back is only 32 and has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, although a move to Inter is described as the most likely outcome. Francesco Acerbi, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are also on the list, with all three leaving clubs after recent spells affected by injury or age. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both former Arsenal fullbacks, are free after being released by Ajax. Raphaël Guerreiro, Tyrell Malacia, Ricardo Rdoríguez and Krépin Diatta are also unattached.

The midfield market contains several more recognisable names. Leon Goretzka leads that group after leaving Bayern Munich, while Julian Brandt is another established option now without a club. Ex-Liverpool pair Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum are free agents too, alongside Franck Kessié and Marcelo Brozović. Philippe Coutinho, James Rodríguez, Nabil Fekir, Yves Bissouma, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Dani Ceballos, Tanguy Ndombele and Axel Witsel all feature among the available midfielders.

Forward options are headed by Mohamed Salah, whose next move remains undecided after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season. Dušan Vlahović is also available despite interest from Barcelona and others, while Jadon Sancho’s exit from Manchester United leaves him in the free agency pool as well. All three could attract strong attention, though salary and signing-on costs may shape any deal.