Richard Hughes can't miss deal for extraordinary £69m Portugal forward

Liverpool are missing pace and one-v-one ability on the wings this season.

It’s clear that losing Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich was a bad idea with Cody Gakpo unable to register any sort of consistency on the left side of attack.

And over on the other flank Mohamed Salah’s performance levels have plummeted. Richard Hughes is therefore considering moves for wingers in the summer transfer window and there has been no shortage of names linked.

Yan Diomande, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola are just a flavour of the wide attackers associated with an Anfield arrival.

AC Milan are going to sell Rafa Leao

But a recent turn of events in Milan could bring Liverpool closer to signing a player with that crucial ingredient on the wing.

Rafa Leao, 26, has been with AC Milan since 2019 and in truth the Rossoneri have done well to hold on to the much-coveted attacker as long as they have.

The Portugal international however now looks destined to leave following a catastrophic breakdown in relations with his club.

Leao was unhappy with Max Allegri’s decision to take him off during a recent Serie A defeat to Lazio - with the winger refusing his head coach’s hug on the sidelines.

According to reports in Italy the Milanese giants have now resolved to listen to offers for Leao - described last summer as 'extraordinary' by Allegri.

Rafa Leao: Yours for £69m

Under contract until 2028 the former Lille wide man is reported to have a release clause of €170m (£147m) in his deal. But Milan sporting director Igli Tare is now prepared to accept less than HALF of that sum to get Leao off the books - €80m (£69m).

That would represent just the kind of opportunistic deal that Richard Hughes so favours - and give Liverpool an instant upgrade on Gakpo.

Although it’s been a tricky season for Leao he’s still managed nine Serie A goals - featuring as a left winger as well as part of a front two.

He could give Arne Slot additional tactical flexibility if the head coach decided to change formations. Give his age and profile it’s rare to get the opportunity to sign a player of this quality for such a minimal fee.

Liverpool would do well to consider this option rather than overpaying for unproven youngsters.

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