Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola wants to keep Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson at Anfield, even as club owners Fenway Sports Group confirm they have been approached by a consortium backed by the £26bn Mittal family for a minority stake.
Speaking from the club's pre-season tour in Chicago, Iraola made clear his desire to retain Mac Allister, who has two years left on his contract and has yet to begin talks over a new deal. "I think Alexis has been one of the best players at the club for the last few years," Iraola said. "I want to keep my good players. I'm looking forward more to signing new players rather than losing the ones we have here."
“Iraola wants Mac Allister and Alisson to stay as FSG confirm a £26bn-backed minority bid.”
Iraola also wants Alisson to stay despite reported interest from Juventus. With the 33-year-old goalkeeper entering the final year of his contract, Iraola stressed his value as a leader. "Alisson is someone also in a changing room that has lost some references in terms of experience," he explained. "We need the references like Virgil [van Dijk], like Alisson, like Joe Gomez."
While Iraola is keen to retain key men, he acknowledged defensive reinforcements are needed — particularly at right-back, with Conor Bradley still "months" away from playing after a knee injury sustained in January. "We are very thin right now," he admitted, adding that the club is trying to find a solution.
The summer has already seen major changes: Arne Slot's dismissal, Iraola's appointment, the £34.5m signing of Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna, and the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
Off the pitch, FSG broke their silence on the investment approach led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, who recently left his role as co-owner of QPR. An FSG statement said: "An investment consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club." No agreement is in place and talks remain at an early stage, according to sources. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was also approached about joining a consortium, though Sky Sports reports there is notable caution and it is far from certain he will proceed.
FSG bought Liverpool for £300m in 2010; the club is now valued at £5.2bn by Forbes. The bid mirrors the 2023 deal with Dynasty Equity, worth between £82m and £164m. For now, Iraola's focus remains on the pitch. "I want to keep my good players," he repeated — a message that will resonate as the transfer window enters its final weeks.