Andoni Iraola involved in deal for World Cup star worth £43m

Andoni Iraola has played a key role in bringing a long-term Liverpool transfer target to Anfield. Victor Munoz - the 22-year-old Spain attacker - has been signed after the Premier League champions activated his €40 million release clause from Osasuna.

According to a report from Spain, Iraola appears to be trying to make a move for another preferred candidate. Andoni Iraola wants to sign Malik Tillman. The United States' shining star at the FIFA World Cup, Malik Tillman, has become a household name in recent weeks. His performances in his home tournament have been impressive - following a successful first season in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.


Liverpool's new coach is currently ready to make a deal for the scoring midfielder - who could cost more than 50 million euros if he transfers this summer. Liverpool is preparing for a big deal in the transfer market, and the main target is Malik Tillman. His form, maturity in play and ability to decide matches have increased his value, to the point that the transfer fee could exceed 50 million euros in the coming weeks.

Liverpool's interest in Malik Tillman has a specific name behind it: Andoni Iraola. The coach believes that the American player fits perfectly into the type of team he wants to build at Anfield. Malik Tillman is a 24-year-old American attacking midfielder/international striker at Bayer Leverkusen, who joined from PSV in the summer of 2025 and wears the number 10 shirt. At 1.87m tall, he has a tall build, comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and moving into spaces in the center or left.

On the field, Tillman is a goalscoring midfielder, attacking areas from space, capable of playing as a number 10, attacking number 8 or left-wing striker. He enjoyed two impressive goalscoring years at PSV - including a 12-goal season in 26 Eredivisie matches - and then 29 Bundesliga appearances with six goals in the 2025/26 season, along with two goals in seven Champions League appearances for Leverkusen. He has signed a contract until 2030, so Leverkusen see him as a long-term attacking pillar rather than a quick deal. Any move going forward would require a Champions League club to pay a higher fee than what PSV received, with the more likely trend being for Tillman to become a regular starter and double-digit scorer over the next few seasons.

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