Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Acquiring Will Hughes Would Be Great Long-Term Move

As Liverpool look for ways to improve heading into the bulk of the season, they are also quietly making moves to improve the future.

Jamie Sanderson of Metro reports that the club is looking into a £6 million transfer for Will Hughes:

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Hughes is considered one of the best prospects in England, and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to bring him to Anfield this summer.

Arsenal, Chelsea and even Manchester United have all been linked with the 18-year-old, who has already racked up nearly 50 first-team appearances.

But it is Liverpool who lead the race, with Rodgers ready to bid after sending chief scout Dave Fallows to check on Hughes during the England Under-21s’ win over Scotland last week.

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The fact that Liverpool have already scouted the 18-year-old player and like what they see is encouraging for this transfer to take place.

This would be big for the Reds, as Hughes has shown plenty of ability at his young age. Last season he started 33 matches for Derby County while helping the club finish in the top half of the Championship. 

In this campaign, he has scored two goals with two assists, numbers that are certain to increase as he gains more experience and matures physically. Hughes has also appeared for England U21 and will definitely be a key contributor on that roster for a number of years.

While the youngster might not be ready to make an impact in the Premier League, Alan Nixon of Mirror Football previously reported that Derby would be willing to complete a "sale and loan back" deal.

This would be the perfect solution for Liverpool. Hughes can continue to improve against weaker competition and then move to Anfield when he is ready to help out Liverpool.

Although there is some uncertainty concerning the Reds' roster, there are players who appear to be around for the long haul. Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are both in their early 20s and should continue to improve over the next few seasons.

Pairing Hughes in attack with these quality players in a few years would help give Liverpool one of the top offenses in the league. 

If, for some reason, the Reds cannot find a role for the midfielder in the future, they will be able to re-sell him for what will likely end up being more than the £6 million they expect to pay.

Small moves to help out the future usually do not generate the same type of excitement as bringing in a high-priced star from another club. However, this type of acquisition could end up paying off more than almost anything else the squad does this summer.

Liverpool have to make sure they complete this deal before someone else swoops in and signs the talented player.

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