Richard Hughes pulls the handbrake on homegrown midfielder exit
Richard Hughes has applied the handbrake, reversing a plan that could have seen homegrown midfielder James McConnell leave Liverpool, while the club simultaneously eyes a £30m exit for Curtis Jones to Inter Milan. The contrast pits a retained academy product against a high‑profile sale, highlighting the club’s midfield dilemma.
Midfield overhaul and Jones' price tag
Liverpool are planning changes to their midfield, and Curtis Jones is at the centre of speculation. Inter Milan have expressed a desire to sign the English midfielder, and a fee of £30m has been mentioned as a possible price. The Italian champions stand ready to complete the deal soon.
Outbound deals for Bajcetic, Elliott and Nyoni
There may also be outbound deals wrapped up for Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott. Bajcetic, 21, is wanted back in Spain and has only one year left on his contract, prompting Liverpool to consider a sale to avoid losing him on a free. Harvey Elliott, 23, is in a similar situation, although interest in him appears more limited at this stage. Trey Nyoni could leave on loan to secure precious first‑team minutes, adding another potential departure from the midfield pool.
U‑turn on McConnell as handbrake on midfield depth
James McConnell, 21, signed a fresh five‑year contract last year before a temporary spell at Ajax, but an injury cut that loan short and he returned to the AXA Training Centre. After recovering, he featured for Andoni Iraola during preseason, convincing the manager to keep him as a rotation option. A report reads, “Liverpool youngster James McConnell will not be heading out on loan as Andoni Iraola wants to utilise him in the first‑team this season.” Iraola’s desire to retain McConnell is believed to be fuelled by Liverpool’s lack of midfield arrivals so far this summer, with money earmarked for Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. The handbrake decision therefore safeguards midfield numbers, contrasting the club’s willingness to let senior players depart with its resolve to keep a promising academy graduate.