Liverpool insider lets slip name of midfielder on Richard Hughes' transfer hitlist

Liverpool have been tipped to complete a midfield overhaul this summer.

There are questions to answer in the case of Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones in particular. Macca, 27, is under contract until 2028 but unusually for Liverpool there have been no talks scheduled for a new deal.

Without an agreement over new terms it would be no surprise to see the Argentina FIFA World Cup winner be sold. Jones looks set for an immediate exit with Inter Milan in the hunt to sign the homegrown playmaker.

So long as the Italian champions bridge the gap between their current £20m offer and Liverpool’s £35m valuation then the England man will be off.

Lewis Steele: Liverpool like Bouaddi

And that brings us to contenders to come into Anfield. The focus is still very much on adding wingers - with Victor Munoz crossed off and the pursuit of Yan Diomande still very much on.

But once sporting director Richard Hughes gets what he is looking for in attack then we could see the outgoing Premier League champions turn to new midfielders once again.

And trusted reporter Lewis Steele has now confirmed the name of one candidate to arrive. Lille’s Ayyoud Bouaddi has made a decisive breakthrough for the Ligue 1 side over the past couple of seasons and is now a full Morocco international to boot.

Several contenders want Bouaddi deal

He is expected to move on this summer with his club valuing him at around £60m and well protected by Bouaddi’s recent contract extension.

While Liverpool are not currently active in the chase Steele guarantees that Bouaddi is one name on the list that Hughes is now ready to turn to.

Winger first, Bouaddi next?

“One player in whom Liverpool's interest is more firm is Ayyoub Bouaddi, of Lille and Morocco,” he writes.

“Liverpool like him but others are ahead in the race as the Reds consider their priorities.

“Fellow clubs in the hunt include Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City... the list goes on.”

Liverpool got diminishing returns from their midfield members last season - with Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in particular beneath their 2024/25 Premier League title-winning best.

A signing like Bouaddi would inject some vim and vigour into Andoni Iraola’s midfield - and at a reasonable price for a player of his calibre too.

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