Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool are in advanced talks with special star

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Liverpool are in advanced talks with a special star.

Richard Hughes did not inherit an easy job when he took on the role as sporting director in 2024. First he had contract issues to resolve and then he had to embark on a plan to rebuild the Reds' squad.

This plan came to fruition in the summer, although it's just the beginning. Hughes may have got rid of a lot of the old guard but he still has to make plans to replace some of the club's ageing stars.

How long Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk will stay at Liverpool for is moot. It's not guaranteed both of them will fulfil their contracts that expire in the summer of 2027.

In fact, for the former, it's entirely possible that he could leave well before then.

There are also others to consider. Andy Robertson's contract expires at the end of the season. As does Ibrahima Konate's. Whether both of them will stay at the club remains to be seen.

At the same time, Liverpool are also working on transfers. Hughes may have invested a lot in the summer window but his squad still isn't perfect.

The Reds are lacking balance and in order to find the right mix, Hughes will need to bring in more stars.

Particularly in the centre-back position where Liverpool missed out on signing Marc Guehi during the final hours of the window.

But they have also been trying to sign a left-winger for some time, and next year could see Antoine Semenyo becoming available, which could be an ideal purchase for the Reds.

In the process Hughes will build a core group that can form a super team for many years to come, even when its superstars like Van Dijk and Salah have long departed.

This has always been the goal for Michael Edwards and Hughes. They know that the most difficult thing to do is not to get to the top but to stay there for decades.

It's very easy to fall down, especially when there is a change of characters and legends retire.

Liverpool know how easy it can happen. It happened to them during the 1990s and they've seen Manchester United collapse dramatically after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in the mid-2010s.

Of course, a key part of the future will be to also find the current players in the squad who can take on the mantle and become leaders in this group.

The leading candidate for that role right now is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has a contract at the club until 2028. However, Liverpool see him as a potential future captain and want to extend his deal.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Fabrizio Romano confirmed that talks are now advanced between Szoboszlai's camp and Liverpool.

“Liverpool are working on new contracts – Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai," Romano said.

“With Gravenberch, already some conversation, very early stages, took place, with Dominik Szoboszlai also, and now talks are advancing and progressing between Liverpool and Dominik Szoboszlai over new contract.

“Let me be clear. We are not at the final stages of the negotiations. We are not at the verbal agreement stage with Dominik Szoboszlai, but the contacts are continuing between Liverpool and Dominik Szoboszlai.

“So, there is a discussion ongoing. Liverpool are prepared to improve his salary, and that’s important news.

“Dominik Szoboszlai was already on a very good salary, but his performances have been fantastic.

“Gravenberch also doing very well, so Liverpool want to keep both players for the long term, but with Dominik Szoboszlai, contacts have advanced in the last few days, with Liverpool pushing.

“Now there is a conversation, there is a negotiation. Again, we are not at the end of the negotiation.

“It’s not a done deal, there is still work to do, but there is a very good connection, with Liverpool trying to be fast on this one with Dominik Szoboszlai."

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