Another Richard Hughes disasterclass: Liverpool face making transfer loss as forward closes in on move away

Liverpool are not done remodelling the frontline for the 2026/27 season.

Victor Munoz has been brought in for £34m after Richard Hughes triggered the Spain FIFA World Cup winner’s Osasuna release clause.

Plans are afoot meanwhile to sign at least two more wingers. One-v-one quality out wide was always the stated aim for the current transfer period - a need stepped up following Mohamed Salah’s free transfer to Trabzonspor.

Bradley Barcola is the main focus - with Paris Saint-Germain holding out for a deal worth £145m before letting their France winger go.

PSG teammate Ibrahim Mbaye is another name mentioned with the two-time European champions seeking around £60m for the 18-year-old.

Bids have also gone in for Yankuba Minteh and the signs are positive for getting that deal over the line as long as Brighton’s £70m valuation can be met.

These deals are going to have an impact for wide forwards already on the books. We’ve seen Cody Gakpo linked with a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur and that deal could put £72m in the the transfer coffers.

Also associated with a move away from Anfield has been Federico Chiesa.

The 28-year-old joined the Merseysiders back in 2024 but has never really got to grips with life in the Premier League. The Italian international is making £150k per week and the club would no doubt now love to use that salary on somebody else.

Inter Milan have come forward in recent days with interest in the former Juventus winger - who transferred to Liverpool for a fee that could reach £12.5m.

Once Luis Henrique’s transfer to Roma is wrapped up - likely to be a loan with an obligation to buy - then Cristian Chivu will pull the trigger on a replacement.

“It's no secret that Federico Chiesa has long been in Inter's sights: the Liverpool striker fits the profile of the player the Nerazzurri are looking for,” a report in Sportal reads.

The problem for Richard Hughes and Liverpool is Chiesa’s value has TANKED following two poor individual campaigns at the club.

Inter are seeing to pay only €10m (£8.5m) for the Euro 2020 winner - a far cry from the £20m or so Liverpool were reported to be seeking for Chiesa earlier this window.

“Chiesa's market value currently stands at less than €10 million: a tempting opportunity that Marotta could seize,” the report reads.

“The deal with Roma for Luis Henrique is therefore the key to the entire scenario: the Giallorossi are negotiating with Inter on a loan with an obligation to buy, for a total fee of around €30 million including fixed fee and bonuses.”

This can only be put down as a Richard Hughes disasterclass. Chiesa has drained £150k per week from the Reds over two unproductive seasons and now faces being sold on at a loss.

He was the only addition to the squad for Arne Slot when the Dutchman signed on back in 2024. But this in all senses is a regrettable deal - especially if Liverpool endure a loss on his eventual sale.