Via echo
Last week Richard Hughes made an honest admission about the Reds’ transfer plans.
Hughes
“It's been great to work with Arne,”
“Clearly, it was a difficult position at first as we both had jobs to finish where we were and, of course, there was an important season to finish at Liverpool.”
“Since then we've been in communication daily on many things, logistics, organisation and, of course, preparing the transfer window, which is something we will know more about as we go on.
“Clearly, the more time we spend with the current squad - which we're both delighted to have inherited, it's a very talented squad.
“We need to improve and we need to improve on the training pitch, first and foremost.
“With the window open we will always be opportunistic if we can, if we can improve certain areas as we go we will look to do that.”
That opportunistic approach is nothing new for Liverpool, having, in recent years, regularly pounced to take advantage of a transfer release clause, snap up a quality player when suddenly made available for transfer or land a target for what they consider to be a bargain fee.
The arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch arguably all fell into such boxes last summer
Diaz is arguably the most opportunistic of them all. Signed in a deal worth an initial £37m from FC Porto in January 2022
Two and a half years on and a similar opportunity could technically be about to present itself as the Reds continue to monitor the situation of Lille defender Leny Yoro.
The 18-year-old is already known to be available for transfer ahead of his contract expiring next summer
Liverpool are poised to pounce if given encouragement that he would accept a move to Anfield.
Of course they are not alone, with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also interested in the young centre-back.
Consequently, the going price for the defender is set. But unlike the case with Diaz in 2022, in this instance, such a bid is currently not expected to trigger Liverpool into action.
The Reds’ transfer stance regarding Yoro remains unchanged.
It is understood that club bosses still expect the defender to move to Real Madrid, with the La Liga giants reported as his preferred destination throughout this transfer saga.
Madrid are reportedly said to be happy to wait until 2025 to sign the defender on a free transfer
As a result, the decision will come down to the player.
The Red Devils’ bid for the defender could ultimately trigger a resolution when it comes to the player’s future, forcing the involved parties’ hand one way or the other.
Liverpool will no doubt continue to monitor the situation, lying in wait just in case Yoro’s Real Madrid resolve falters.
But as far as the Reds are concerned he is still expected to move to the Bernabeu, with United set to be left disappointed as a result despite their accepted €60m-€70m bid.
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