12 Sept 2013

Boss confirms: 'Excellent' €12m star may leave 'in January'. Better option than Allen...?

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Derby County's Will Hughes, and after missing out on the 18-year old over the summer, The Reds - along with Manchester City and Manchester United - are reportedly primed to make a fresh bid for the midfielder during the January transfer window.

In August, The Independent claimed:

"Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal for Will Hughes.

"Hughes has been watched extensively over the last six months by Liverpool's chief scout, Barry Hunter".


Reports this week claim that:

* Brendan Rodgers has instructed Hunter to continue scouting Hughes until the new year.
* Liverpool are prepared pay up to €12m for Hughes.
* The Reds are interested in an ongoing player-exchange partnership with Derby.

Rams boss Nigel Clough confirmed last night that he believes big clubs will be in for Hughes in January. He told the Barton Mail:

"I think there will be interest in Will in January. I think that is when everybody can assess the first six months of the season, where they are going and where they are a bit short."

When asked in August about speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, Hughes - recently described as 'a real talent' and 'exciting to watch' by Stuart Pearce - told reporters:

“I have not heard anything or been told anything about any speculation since my injury and I prefer to keep it that way. In a way, that is a relief. I just want to get on with my football and keep my mind on my football, which I feel I have always done.”

In a recent column for the Daily Mail, Jamie Carragher highlighted Hughes as one of the top young players in the country. He enthused:

"His [Hughes'] reputation is growing by the week and he was excellent when England’s Under 21s demolished Scotland 6-0 earlier this month. The way he carries himself and the way he passes the ball suggest he has got a big future".

Derby County youth team coach Darren Wassall is convinced Hughes is destined for greatness, and during an interview in May, he raved:

“Will is a great example and a great inspiration. He hit the ground running in July from the very first training session and he just got better and better as the weeks and months went on"

Hughes is undoubtedly a fantastic prospect, but central midfield is surely not a priority in January? The Reds need a striker and a goalscoring attacking midfielder asap, and that should (IMO) be the focus in the next transfer window.

Having said that, with other Premier League teams also interested, Rodgers may have no choice but to move for Hughes sooner rather than later, and if the club did sign him, then this would surely pose serious questions about Joe Allen's long-term future.

After all, if Rodgers is satisfied with the Welshman, why spend €12m on someone who plays in a similar position...?





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8 comments:

  1. What do you think they're smoking over there at derby.ynwa

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  2. 12 million not worth it doesnt score many or have many assists Allen mark 2 maybe.
    Only thing going his way is age maybe he can take his game to another level one can only hope.

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  3. Will Hughes is a great prospect, I don't see any harm in buying him as he is 18 and Allen is 24. Plus they can play together after a couple of years.

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  4. I'm torn here. On one hand I feel that we've missed out on enough players by being cheap arses. Players like Cronaldo, Bale, Walcott, Oxlade. On the other had 12 million is ridiculous considering that we probably wouldn't even get half that for Suso who is probably as good as this guy or at least not less than half as good.

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  5. Yep I agree. Especially if other PL teams are in for him I think we should go in for him. Loaning him straight back out to a premier league team would be a smart move though. At 18 we dont want to stunt his development and he needs to be playing so I couldn't agree more. A loan to a team like Crystal Palace or somewhere were he will get game time.

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  6. Yep. Agreed.
    Hodgson type of player. Honest hard working, occasional great bit of play, but more steady than anything else.

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  7. Good enough if he costs 8 million or less.

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  8. allen has to produce this season. ok, the price wasn't his fault, but he does seem limited. i know a derby fan who doesn't think he is ready for a big move yet, but acknowledges he is a top prospect.

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