Liverpool want GENIUS Richard Hughes signing to join

Liverpool are reported to be well on the way towards signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. It’s no secret that the Reds are big admirers of the 21-year-old left-back - who joined the Cherries from AZ back in 2023.

Overseeing that deal was Richard Hughes in his position as Bournemouth's technical director. He has since become sporting director at Anfield - and looks certain to sign the Hungarian international for a second time in his career.

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Liverpool were also in the hunt for Dean Huijsen although the Spanish centre-back instead opted to join Real Madrid from the Vitality Stadium side.

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Now comes the news that Liverpool are in the hunt for yet ANOTHER Bournemouth defender - and one whose genius signing was also overseen by transfer expert Hughes.

Illia Zabarnyi joined Bournemouth back in January 2023 in an estimated £20m deal from Dynamo Kyiv. The Ukrainian international inked a new deal until 2029 last summer - and has had a transformative effect on the south coast club’s backline.

Illia Zabarnyi in demand this summer

Last season he played 36 times in the Premier League, forming a formidable partnership with Huijsen. And now, according to TBR Football, he is set to move on to bigger and better things during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are among a clutch of clubs keeping track of the 48-cap international - although it’s conceded that he is now likely to end up at Paris Saint-Germain.

The European champions look set to move on from Marquinhos this summer - with Ibrahima Konate also among the candidates to replace him. But a £60m deal for Zabarnyi looks set to be the most likely outcome.

Would Liverpool take TWO Bournemouth defenders?

“Bournemouth realise, for want of a better phrase, that Zabarnyi’s head has been turned,” TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey says.

“That’s because of PSG’s interest in Zabarnyi and there is also interest elsewhere in the Premier League – all the top six clubs like him, they all admire him as a player.

“Bournemouth’s asking price is surprising, it’s around £60m they’ll get, so it does look like he’s going to, and PSG are most likely.

“We previously shared that Chelsea and Liverpool both like Zabarnyi – but would Liverpool take two Bournemouth defenders in the same window? Well they wanted Huijsen alongside Kerkez, so why not.

“But as it stands, Bournemouth realise that Zabarnyi wants to go and a third member of their back four is looking set to leave.”

Zabarnyi, 22, is on the shortlist for the Reds as well as Chelsea and Newcastle - according to the report. Furthermore, it’s claimed that Liverpool have had “contact” over a deal.

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Let’s see how this one plays out and whether PSG get a deal over the line. If not then Richard Hughes may well have the chance to revisit his old stomping ground for a transfer win.