--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-08-26T21:13:01.730Z last_updated: 2026-08-26T14:40:35+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/liverpool/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZXJwb29sZWNoby5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC9mb290YmFsbC1uZXdzL2xpdmVycG9vbC1ub3RlYm9vay1ob3ctcmVkcy12aWV3LTM0NTIxMzYy --- # Liverpool's view on stalled winger transfer pursuits as two-month wait goes on - **Source:** - **Published:** 26 Aug - **Club:** Liverpool - **Original URL:** https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-notebook-how-reds-view-34521362 Liverpool are continuing their preparation for the first competitive game of the Andoni Iraola era at Anfield when Nottingham Forest visit on Saturday lunchtime. After last week's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, the Reds return to home comforts against a Forest side who have triumphed on their last two visits to Merseyside. Ahead of that game this weekend, the ECHO brings you all the latest in its Liverpool Notebook piece. Here's what been happening, via our Liverpool FC correspondent Paul Gorst. Transfer search goes on It's now less than a week until the transfer deadline passes and Liverpool's most recent permanent purchase was the £34.5m deal for Victor Munoz that was officially concluded over two months ago, on June 17. That was around the time the Reds communicated their willingness to offer £86m for Yan Diomande, who was then an RB Leipzig player. Since then, the front-of-house activity has been quiet, with the club continuing to assess their options, even at this late stage of what now feels a ludicrously long period of player trading. The end is at least in sight now, with transfer window set to close at 11pm on Tuesday evening but that won't be much comfort for sporting director Richard Hughes as an almost farcically busy few days await. "Spinning plates" has been the message from those at Anfield when it comes to the summer-long pursuit of players, specifically in wide areas. And as talks drag on for Bradley Barcola - viewed at Paris Saint-Germain as a £145m player - Liverpool are trying elsewhere for lower-cost options as they seek to boost their numbers for the campaign ahead. Two bids for Yankuba Minteh were turned down last week and the Reds have now shifted focus to Crystal Palace for Ismaila Sarr, whom they have tracked since his days as a Watford player. Sarr was on a three-man shortlist six years ago when the decision was made to sign the late Diogo Jota from Wolves, and he is now back in the cross hairs. A deal for Minteh could yet still be in the offing, however, if Brighton lower their demands for their £80m-rated Gambia international. It promises to be a busy few days for those connected to Liverpool and having spoken on a number of occasions about his desire for wingers this summer, failing to land the right targets will only leave Iraola facing up to questions that should really land at someone else's door, namely Hughes, who is still expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. Get the best Liverpool FC news and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Echo! Yours in just two simple steps. Richardson leaves post After seven years serving as Liverpool's performance psychologist, Lee Richardson has left the club. Richardson, a former player and manager, was brought in during Jurgen Klopp's tenure at Anfield and became a trusted sounding board for players and staff. The psychologist was known for handing out questionnaires to the first-team stars at Anfield that posed questions about their mental health and his door was said to always be open for those seeking advice and guidance about the pressures that come with being at a club the size of Liverpool. Richardson was an important figure for many last summer when the sudden passing of Diogo Jota led to grief counsellors visiting the club's AXA Training Centre to help those struggling with the death of their much-loved colleague. But the mental-health professional has now left Liverpool to launch AIM FOR Solutions, which seeks to aid athletes in taking care of their emotional well-being. "After an incredible 7 years, the time has come to begin a new chapter," Richarson wrote on his LinkedIn profile. "Working with Liverpool Football Club has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. "To have had the opportunity to support outstanding players, coaches and staff within one of the world's most respected football clubs has been both professionally rewarding and personally humbling. "I'm immensely grateful to everyone who has been part of that journey and for the trust, friendships and experiences we've shared along the way. As exciting as that chapter has been, I've reached a point where I feel compelled to focus fully on a vision that has been growing over many years… "Throughout my career as a player, coach and psychologist, I have seen high levels of investment in technical, tactical and physical development continue at pace. However, the psychological aspects of performance, leadership and well-being often remain ignored, not measured or monitored effectively and consistently underdeveloped. "That belief led to the creation of The 4Pillars Track and The SafetyNet, and now it’s time for me to focus my full attention on growing their success even further. "To everyone at Liverpool FC, thank you for the opportunity, the support and the memories. I will always be grateful for my time at such a special club." Shirt sponsor options as Liverpool seek financial boost Liverpool are continuing to assess the market for their next shirt sponsors, it's understood. The club have had a partnership with American bank Standard Chartered that dates back 17 years but the Reds are free to speak to other companies for the 27/28 campaign onwards as things stand. Standard Chartered had an exclusive negotiation window as part of their agreement with Liverpool but that has now passed, meaning the club are free to open the market up to other prospective companies. The terms with the London-based Standard Chartered are thought to be worth around £50m a year. However, having signed their most recent agreement in July 2022, it's likely Liverpool feel they can now earn significantly more for any new deal. Liverpool will look to seek a deal that is at least more in line with the £60m-a-year agreement Manchester United currently have with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., more commonly known as Snapdragon. Liverpool recognise their standing in world football and in particular the Premier League makes them an enormously attractive proposition for would-be shirt sponsors. An upgrade in the bottom line will now be sought as a result, even if there is to be an extension with Standard Chartered. Bhatia to visit Anfield Liverpool's new vice chairman Amit Bhatia will reportedly be at Anfield for the first home game of the new season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Bhatia is the head of the 1892 Holdings group that took a 38% share in the club earlier this month after striking a deal with majority owners Fenway Sports Group. British-Indian businessman Bhatia, who was part of the executive setup at Queens Park Rangers for nearly 20 years, is the frontman of a consortium that includes the world's third richest man Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, whose personal fortune is worth a reported £24billion. The BBC reports Bhatia will be at Anfield this week after being personally invited by principal owner John W Henry. Sources close to Mr Bhatia have so far remained tight-lipped on the claims the new vice chairman will be in place to savour Anfield for the first time in his role, however. Bhatia is part of a new-look board at Liverpool that also featured Bryan Baum, the manager partner of K5 Global - who serves as Bezos' representative - and Elaine Saverin, the wife of the Brazilian-born Eduardo, who was portrayed by Andrew Garfield in the 2008 film 'The Social Network'. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! 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