Liverpool aim to capitalise on Derby County’s failure to gain promotion to the Premier League by making a cut-price offer for their midfielder Will Hughes, FootballDirectNews.com understands. A source close to Anfield told FDN fresh legs at the heart of the engine room are a priority for the summer transfer window, as the Reds prepare for their commitments in next season’s Champions League. Captain Steven Gerrard is approaching the twilight of his career and is unlikely to be able to cope with the physical demands of playing three times a week, leaving boss Brendan Rodgers in need of more options in midfield.
The Liverpool insider revealed scouts have returned to the club with glowing reports on Hughes over the last few months and the Merseyside outfit were waiting to see if the Rams won promotion from the Championship.
They made it all the way to the play-off final at Wembley but missed out on the big prize after losing 1-0 to Queens Park Rangers, despite seeing their opponents reduced to 10 men with half-an-hour of the contest remaining. Derby conceded a Bobby Zamora goal in the 90th minute and failed to go up in heartbreaking circumstances.
Teenager Hughes has two years remaining on his current contract and Liverpool are now ready to pounce.
