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.

Inter want Chiesa deal

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.

Chiesa now valued at £8.5m (€10m)

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.

Liverpool to make a loss on Chiesa

“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.