Richard Hughes plans £21m deal for Arne Slot favourite

Liverpool’s plight at right-back has been well-documented this season.

The Premier League champions went into the 2025/26 campaign without Trent Alexander-Arnold - who moved to Real Madrid for £10m.

Richard Hughes brought in Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and also handed out a new long-term contract to Conor Bradley.

Injuries in that sector have bitten hard however with Bradley ruled out at least until the start of next season and Frimpong still two weeks away from fitness.

Arne Slot has had to use Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo at right-back this term and the Reds even made attempts to correct the problem in the January transfer market.

Liverpool step up Dumfries chase

A move was made for Lutsharel Geertruida - on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig - but since no replacement could be found the Dutchman stayed where he was.

But it looks like Richard Hughes is still keen to address the issues and a move for Denzel Dumfries cannot be ruled out for summer.

Linked with a move in January - despite an ankle injury - the 29-year-old Inter wing-back is close to a return to full fitness. The former PSV star wants a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad and will be going hell for leather until the end of the season.

Liverpool plot £21m deal for Dumfries

According to FCIN talk will turn to the player’s future very soon - with his current deal expiring in 2028. And Liverpool will be right there for his signature - named in the report as one of the teams who can “easily” afford his €25m (£21m) buyout clause.

With Arne Slot described as an “admirer” Dumfries has got the quality and experience to add to Liverpool’s options at right-back.

Ronald Koeman has even used him in tandem with Frimpong for the Oranje - meaning that the former Leverkusen wing-back could become the permanent successor to Mo Salah further forward.

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