Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
Richard Hughes has a lot of work to do this summer.
After his £450 million spend last time around, he probably thought that he'd have an easy-going summer.
However, that has certainly not been the case with Andoni Iraola and Hughes already confirming their first signing of the season in Victor Munoz.
But, for Liverpool to make additions to their squad, they'll need to move some players on which is easier said than done.
Liverpool's squad depth is already fairly poor as it is so, selling players could massively impact them.
Several members of Iraola's squad have already been linked with exits but one player in particular has had some major interest shown in him.
However, on the face of things, a deal makes no sense for the Anfield outfit, especially not at this moment in time.
Liverpool must wait and see what other midfielders sell before before axing Curtis Jones
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At the moment, Curtis Jones is the most likely player to leave Liverpool.
Even though he played rather well when called upon last season, Arne Slot hardly trusted him to feature and, when he did, he was often used as a right-back.
This led to the Englishman seeking an exit despite the other players in his position being no better than him.
Inter Milan are the ones leading the chase at the moment but, since the Reds and the Serie A outfit are still around £10 million apart in their valuations, a deal hasn't been struck yet.
And, until deals for players such as Felix Nmecha, Elliott Anderson and Ayoub Bouaddi are completed, it makes no sense for Liverpool to part ways with Jones.
Sure, the Englishman only has a year left on his current deal but, even then, he's still only 25 years old and is fairly versatile.
If someone such as Anderson sells for £130 million rather than £120 million, it could make Liverpool's case to ask for more money from Inter much easier.
Hence why the Reds can't accept a deal for the Englishman at the moment.
Liverpool should extend Curtis Jones' contract and add him to their starting XI
Now that Slot is gone, Jones could have another chance at proving his worth under Iraola.
The midfielder's playing style perfectly matches the way that Iraola set his Bournemouth team up and, of all the midfielders among Liverpool's ranks, he's probably the one who's the most likely to adapt to the new style.
Of course, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister will all want to try their best to earn a starting role but, since the latter of the three could be about to join Real Madrid and Wirtz failed to meet expectations, it's unclear what Iraola has planned.
If Liverpool sold Jones, they'd only have to replace him with another player who's likely to be worse than the homegrown Englishman.
In the past, the Jones has been described as "fearless" and, with how badly Liverpool performed last term, fearlessness is exactly what Iraola needs from his men, especially if they're wanting to properly challenge for the title again.
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