Date: 11th October 2013 at 4:51pm
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The transfer rumours for the January transfer window are already starting to make the rounds and one can only imagine what it will be like come December. It is interesting to note though that transfer rumours always link clubs with players in positions that the fans and the press can clearly see they are struggling in. If Liverpool were not scoring goals right now, you can be sure we would be linked to every striker out there. But for now, central midfield seems to be the area of concern for Liverpool and we continue to be linked with Derby County midfielder Will Hughes.

Derby boss Steven McClaren has declared that Hughes will leave the club for a bigger team as he is simply ‘too good’ to stay with Derby in the Championship.

Now Liverpool and Manchester United are being linked with the 18-year old midfielder with a fee of £15million being suggested according to the Daily Mail. Yet again, an inflated fee for a young British player! £15million is way too much to fork out for an 18-year old who has not been tested in the Premier League. We paid way too much for Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Joe Allen; look at where those deals got us!

Hughes is a great talent but not for that price. If Liverpool were to sign Hughes it would be a major gamble as he is untested. If we do sign him he may not be ready yet to go straight into the starting lineup as he would have to displace Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson and Allen. So based on that, he would be coming in as a squad player and as ‘one for the future’. Which brings me back to believing that £15million is way too much for that. If Derby do sell him for say £7million than that is worth considering.

For me the fact that Manchester United also want him means that we must beat off United to get his signature simply because I do not like losing to them even in the transfer market! They too are struggling with much needed spark and creativity in their midfield so you can see why they pursuing Hughes. Or watch Spurs enter the fray and also decide to sign him simply because… they do not know what they are doing in the transfer market.

Liverpool would be better off getting a proven ready made central midfielder if they willing to spend £15million. One added concern in Hughes is the build of his body. Even though he is still only 18-years old his body is too slight and may struggle with the physicality of the Premier League. He would have to spend lots of time to bulk up in the gym before he enters the Premier League midfield battles.

All-in-all, Hughes would be a good signing for the future for Liverpool. Do not expect him to make an immediate impact if signed in January and certainly he must not be signing for £15million!

 

One response to “Friday Transfer: Liverpool to battle Manchester United for midfielder”

  1. No disrespect to him. However I find that he is overprice and overrated. I would rather save the money and develop our own academy lads.