Richard Hughes' next Liverpool signings confirmed by insider

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has just overseen a record-breaking transfer window.

The Premier League champions spent close to £450m on new players - twice breaking the British transfer record for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

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In all 10 new players were recruited - including Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi, Freddie Woodman and Will Wright.

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Liverpool’s striking department in particular appears stronger - while Arne Slot now arguably has two top-quality players for every position.

Liverpool will add fewer players next summer

We shouldn’t expect windows like this every summer.

Although Liverpool’s financial outlook is a lot healthier these days, it must be said that the club effectively conducted two transfer windows in one this summer.

Last year only Federico Chiesa was acquired as a senior purchase - and Hughes more or less rolled the spending budget into this year instead.

In 2026 the additions are expected to be much lower - with Liverpool insider Lewis Steele now revealing that the key priorities will be replacing Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah.

Liverpool to REPLACE Van Dijk and Salah

“Internally there is an understanding that next summer will be quieter after this £446m outlay but the goal of the window could be long-term replacements for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk,” he wrotes.

“It will be better to do that in 12 months rather than in two years when their contracts are up.”

Liverpool got contract renewals over the line for both Salah and Van Dijk before the end of their title-winning season. Salah, 33, and Van Dijk, 34, are now secured to deals until 2027.

Olise and Guehi to arrive?

And Steele is right; the Reds should be recruiting from a position of strength rather than facing high prices as selling clubs understand their immediate needs.

We could see Michael Olise arrive as Salah’s long-term replacement on the right wing while there is no shortage of centre-backs tipped to arrive.

Liverpool lost out on players like Piero Hincapie and Jorrel Hato - to Arsenal and Chelsea respectively - but could still compete for Marc Guehi.

What's next for Van Dijk and Salah?

He failed to move on transfer deadline day after Crystal Palace pulled the plug but the Anfield side could be back in January or else next summer when he is a free agent.

What becomes of Salah and Van Dijk if long-term replacements are sourced next summer is anyone’s guess but given their consistency and quality we can expect that they won’t give up their starting spots without a fight.

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