FSG ‘will worship Richard Hughes’ as new Konate update drops at Liverpool
Liverpool’s summer transfer business has been a massive success so far.
Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz are all fantastic additions that will elevate Arne Slot’s squad going into the new Premier League campaign.
The outgoings at Liverpool also seem to be getting handled with the same care, with the Reds wisely holding out for a bid that meets their valuation of Luis Diaz.
Now, sporting director Richard Hughes is seemingly endearing himself to FSG even further with how he is handling Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation.
Hughes standing his ground in Konate contract talks
With rumours of Konate rejecting two contract renewal proposals from Liverpool, and the French defender entering the last year of his deal, Hughes is not folding under the pressure.
According to Alex Crook (17 July), Konate has not extended his contract at the Reds because he is unhappy with the salary he has been offered.
Hughes is known to drive a hard bargain, meaning it is likely the defender will have to lower his demands if both parties want to reach an agreement.
Whilst it is good news that Hughes is not caving in to Konate’s demands, a resolution must be reached soon, so the 26-year-old does not take a page out of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s book and leave L4 for virtually nothing.
Sealing the signature of Marc Guehi would help to diffuse the situation, with the Crystal Palace defender being a more than worthy replacement for Konate.
This could put pressure on Konate to accept Hughes’ lower offer, with his place in the starting XI likely to go to Guehi if the Frenchman does not commit his future to Anfield.
Hughes can still pull off multiple more masterstrokes this summer
Getting Konate to renew his deal in Merseyside would be the latest in a long list of successful moves from Hughes so far this summer.
How he addresses the striker position, however, is arguably the most important decision, with Liverpool in the market for a new number nine.
PSR is not a factor that would prevent Liverpool from reaching an agreement with Newcastle United for Alexander Isak, meaning Hughes’ best piece of business may still be on its way.
Securing the signings of Isak would arguably propel Slot’s squad into being the best in world football, with the prospect of Isak, Wirtz and Mohamed Salah lining up in the same team a truly terrifying prospect.
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