Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott remains a player of interest following his outstanding campaign on the south coast, while Liverpool have also been in ongoing talks for highly-rated winger Yan Diomande.

Reports from Germany suggested the club were eager to accelerate discussions for the young attacker before the start of this summer's World Cup.

Defensive reinforcements have also featured prominently in transfer speculation.

Liverpool continue to assess options across the back line too following a disappointing campaign that ultimately led to Arne Slot's departure, not to mention Ibrahima Konate's exit from Merseyside.

With Iraola expected to bring a different tactical approach, recruitment staff are believed to be examining several profiles capable of fitting the Spaniard's high-intensity style.

Alongside those first-team targets, Liverpool's recruitment department remains active in the youth market.

That strategy has now led the club towards one of the most highly-rated young players in African football.

Liverpool hold talks over signing Aboubacar Maiga

According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have held discussions regarding a possible move for Malian wonderkid Aboubacar Maiga.

The young forward has attracted significant attention across Europe after a series of impressive performances at youth level, earning Lionel Messi comparisons that have helped raise his profile among some of the continent's biggest clubs.

Bailey reports that Liverpool are among several sides who have taken a firm interest in his situation, despite an expectation that the 16-year-old was expected to join Barcelona's La Masia academy for a while.

However, the Reds are not alone.

United have also held discussions over the player who England's elite think will be a 'future star', with both Premier League rivals understood to have explored the possibility of bringing him to England.

The report suggests scouts from a number of leading European clubs have been tracking Maiga's development for some time.

Yet, the strongest challenge may come from elsewhere.

According to Bailey, PSG currently appear to be in the best position to secure the youngster's signature. The French champions have established a strong reputation for identifying elite young talent and are believed to have made significant progress in their pursuit.

That could leave Liverpool facing an uphill task if they decide to intensify their interest.

Maiga's growing reputation is understandable.

Still only a teenager, the attacker has become one of the standout prospects emerging from Mali's production line of young talent. His pace, dribbling ability and attacking flair have attracted widespread attention, while his performances in youth competitions have led to growing interest from clubs across England, France and Germany.

Liverpool's involvement fits a pattern that has become increasingly familiar in recent years.

While much attention naturally focuses on major first-team signings, the club has continued to invest heavily in younger players with long-term potential.

Recruitment staff have regularly sought opportunities to bring elite prospects into the academy structure before their value rises significantly.

That approach has delivered mixed results, but Liverpool remain committed to identifying prospects early, with the most notable one recently being Rio Ngumoha, who has attracted unwanted attention from Bayern Munich.

The challenge with Maiga is the level of competition.

When clubs such as Liverpool, United and PSG are all tracking the same player, securing a deal becomes considerably more difficult.

Financial factors, development pathways and the player's own preferences can all play crucial roles in determining the final outcome.

The discussions reported by Bailey suggest the club has undertaken groundwork and gathered information on the player's situation, but no agreement is believed to be close at this stage.

With PSG currently viewed as favourites, Liverpool may need to move quickly if they want to change the direction of the race.