Liverpool ‘closing in’ on second summer signing you’ve probably never heard of…

Liverpool is reportedly ‘closing in’ on their second summer signing, a player you may not be familiar with.

Andoni Iraola appears poised to secure another promising talent from La Liga as part of his summer revamp at Anfield.

According to reports, Liverpool is preparing to make an initial offer to acquire Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Rațiu during the summer transfer window.

Iraola has already been allocated funds to bring in Victor Munoz from Osasuna and is now looking to La Liga again to bolster his defensive lineup.

While Liverpool currently has Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley as options for right-back, they have been linked with a potential deal for the highly regarded Rațiu.

The 28-year-old is considered one of the most underrated players in Spain’s top division, having made 102 appearances for Vallecano since his arrival three years ago.

SportsBoom reports that although Frimpong is anticipated to be the primary full-back next season, Iraola seeks to introduce a stronger competitor for the starting position and believes Rațiu can successfully transition to the Premier League. The implications of this move for academy graduate Bradley remain uncertain.

Rațiu boasts significant experience, having earned 38 caps for the Romanian national team. He was previously honored as Romanian Footballer of the Year and played a pivotal role in Rayo Vallecano’s journey to the UEFA Conference League Final earlier this year, where they were defeated by Crystal Palace.

Liverpool is preparing to submit a bid for Rațiu.

Iraola is said to view Rațiu as a valuable asset in the current transfer market, believing he can secure regular playing time within the squad.

The report indicates that Vallecano is likely to seek a fee around £25 million for the right-back, with the La Liga club in a strong position to demand their desired financial terms.

Rațiu recently signed a long-term contract with Vallecano in November 2025, binding him for an additional four years. Nevertheless, reports suggest that Liverpool remains optimistic about reaching an agreement and may entice Vallecano by offering various lucrative add-ons in their proposal.

Liverpool active in the transfer market

Liverpool faced challenges at right-back last season after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid when his contract expired. Arne Slot was not aided by the injury problems affecting both Frimpong and Bradley, leading them to seek makeshift solutions in a crucial position.

Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were both tested in the makeshift right-back role, but this left Liverpool short of two central midfield options as their season began to unravel. It is perhaps unsurprising that Iraola has reportedly prioritized addressing this issue during his first summer at Anfield.

Liverpool is set to announce another summer signing next week, with defender Jeremy Jacquet finalizing his £55 million transfer to Merseyside. The French prospect agreed to leave Rennes on the winter transfer deadline day, but it was arranged for him to finish his season in Ligue 1 before moving to the Premier League.

The Reds are optimistic that Jacquet will be fit for the start of pre-season training after suffering a serious shoulder injury shortly after his transfer was announced. According to The Athletic, his rehabilitation is progressing well, and he is expected to participate in initial pre-season tests early next month.

Additionally, it is reported that fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni is also on track to be ready for the start of pre-season. The 19-year-old sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September and has not played since.