Iraola Expected to Choose Liverpool Over Bayer Leverkusen

English football club Liverpool is the primary favorite to sign Andoni Iraola as their next manager, and a deal is highly likely to materialize, according to Sky Sports insider Florian Plettenberg. While Bayer Leverkusen is also in the running, the German club reportedly anticipates a rejection from the Spaniard.

"Leverkusen was aware from the outset that Liverpool might join the race for Iraola, so they are expecting a refusal. They are fully convinced that Liverpool is negotiating with him. It's still difficult to say if a deal will happen, and we need to await the final negotiations, but I expect him to choose Liverpool over Leverkusen," Plettenberg told Sky.

This summer, the Reds are set to lose their star player Mohamed Salah, with media outlets in Germany and England linking RB Leipzig's Jan Diomande as his potential replacement.

"It's possible. Diomande has signed with a major agency, Roc Nation, and they have a very clear career plan for him. This plan includes a transfer to a special club during the next window. Before that, we will see him at the World Cup," Plettenberg stated.

"However, every deal has two sides, and RB Leipzig wants to keep him for another year. Directors Oliver Mintzlaff (of Leipzig) and Jürgen Klopp (of Red Bull) also want him. Their intention is for him to be the team's big star," he continued.

"Last Sunday, I spoke on the phone with someone from Leipzig's management, and he told me that Diomande is 100 percent staying. However, I also spoke with someone from Liverpool who confirmed they are working on this transfer and want it to happen this summer. They are currently in negotiations but have not yet reached an agreement with either the player or the club," the Sky insider concluded.