Liverpool 'in talks' over swap deal for first signing of the Andoni Iraola era

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Liverpool are said to have raised the possibility of signing Denzel Dumfries during talks which would have seen Curtis Jones head in the opposite direction to Inter Milan , according to reports in Italy.

Inter have been courting Jones ahead of the summer transfer window with the Liverpool midfielder now entering the final 12 months of his contract. However, the Italian giants are struggling to meet Liverpool's valuation of the midfielder, who has become a first team staple after progressing through the Anfield ranks.

It was reported last week that there was a 'gulf' between the two sides in negotiations, with Inter hoping to raise further funds before potentially trying to strike a deal again in July.

Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sportwitness , claim that Liverpool subsequently proposed bringing Dumfries to the table during talks for Jones given the two clubs' difference in valuations.

It's understood Liverpool value the 25-year-old midfielder at €30million (£25.9m) — some €10m (£8.6m) more than Inter can afford.

Dumfries has been linked with Liverpool previously and it seems their interest in the Dutch wing-back has not waned even in the wake of Arne Slot's departure on Saturday .

It's claimed the 30-year-old has a €25m release clause written into his contract, though it is unclear if either club have plans to proceed with talks for the players in question.

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If Liverpool do press ahead with a move to bring Dumfries to Anfield in the coming weeks, then he could potentially be the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era.

The outgoing Bournemouth manager has quickly emerged as the red-hot favourite to succeed Slot , pausing talks with Crystal Palace . He is expected to hold discussions with Liverpool this week, with the Reds keen on making an appointment before the World Cup kicks off on June 11.

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Iraola has won plenty of plaudits for the impressive body of work he produced on the south coast and leaves Bournemouth having secured European football courtesy of a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League : the highest in the club's history.

If Liverpool decide to look further afield in their search for a new head coach, Sebastian Hoeness is another potential candidate to succeed Slot after catching the eye at Stuttgart, as is the Lens manager, Pierre Sage.

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