New Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has explained how the club plans to approach this summer’s transfer window and has predicted a summer crescendo as a result of the European Championship.
Hughes was speaking alongside Arne Slot at his first press conference as Liverpool’s new head coach. The Dutchman has replaced Jurgen Klopp, who departed at the end of last season.
The Reds have already been linked with a host of names since the transfer window opened last month, while Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all entering the final years of their contracts at Anfield.
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And asked about the club’s plans for this summer’s transfer, Hughes revealed that while the first priority is improving on the training pitch, the club will also be as opportunistic as they can be when it comes to incomings.
“It’s been great to work with Arne,” he said. “It was a difficult position at first. We both had jobs to finish. Since then, we’ve been in conversations daily.
“On many things, logistics, organisation and of course preparing the transfer window. That’s something we’ll know more about when we go on.
“We need to improve, we need to improve on the training pitch first and foremost as Arne said. With the window open we’ll always be opportunistic if we can.
“The only concerns we have [players with one year on deal], is total commitment from the players to the cause, we are absolutely convinced that is the case.”
Speaking generally about the window, Hughes predicted that he could foresee an August hurry in terms of transfer business as a result of quiet July due to the playing of international tournaments.
He said: “Naturally when major comps are on in the summer attention is there. After the flurry in June it will calm down now is my prediction. Then when August starts and coaches have had more time opinions will be more set at clubs and then a hurry.”