Richard Hughes says yes to £51m deal for World Cup midfield powerhouse

Liverpool have been tipped to undergo a summer midfield transfer refit.

The 2024/25 Premier League champions could lose a trio of current options - whose contracts expire in 2027.

Liverpool could lose a trio of midfielders

Curtis Jones is a target for Inter Milan and if the Italian champions get close to the £35m asking price then the 25-year-old could be off.

Harvey Elliott’s future is in doubt following a breakdown of his £35m permanent move to Aston Villa. And Stefan Bajcetic - on the comeback trail from injury - is wanted for a Spanish return by Sevilla and others.

It’s clear that Andoni Iraola requires numbers and quality in the midfield sector - particularly if he is to lose any of the aforementioned players.

Talks on for £51m Kaishu Sano

And talk is gathering steam around an imminent offer for Japan FIFA World Cup star Kaishu Sano.

The 25-year-old has been starring for Mainz in the Bundesliga since making the move from Kashima Antlers in 2024. Under contract until 2028 the midfield powerhouse is valued by his club at £51m.

That price might be a bit rich for other suitors including AC Milan and Arsenal - and a report in Fussball Daten puts Liverpool right at the top of the queue for Sano.

Liverpool at the front of the queue for Kaishu Sano

“Besides Italian Serie A side AC Milan, English Premier League powerhouses Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United have placed the Japanese midfielder at the top of their wish lists,” the report reads.

“The Mainz 05 board has no intention of letting the 25-year-old key player go for a bargain price. The German club has opened negotiations for Sano at the €60 million mark.

“In the search for a tough, dynamic, and pressing midfielder, Liverpool FC is at the forefront of the race. The English club has indicated its willingness to pay Mainz's asking price of between 50 and 60 million euros.”

Liverpool 'maintain dialogue' with Mainz

The report also claims that Liverpool are in talks with their Bundesliga counterparts over the terms of a deal for Sano.

“Liverpool also maintains an open dialogue with Mainz 05 to discuss the framework of the transfer fee,” the report reads.

Sano is renowned as a midfield powerhouse - capable of covering vast distances and he barely misses a match.

He could provide an all-action, robust option for new head coach Andoni Iraola - who could sign a new No6 in order to free up Ryan Gravenberch to play further forward.