Liverpool are set to land Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes – a man Harry Redknapp has previously raved about having worked together at Portsmouth.
Liverpool saw an enormous return come to fruition this week.
Michael Edwards is back controlling football operations at Anfield less than two years since leaving the club.
Edwards has come in as the CEO of Football for the Fenway Sports Group, meaning he will have a wider role than his previous one with the Reds.
HITC Football understands that Edwards already has one appointment lined up as Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes is being lined up for a move to Anfield.
Hughes – the current director of football at Bournemouth – is being viewed as Liverpool’s next sporting director following Jorg Schmadtke’s exit.
Harry Redknapp on Richard Hughes
The Scot has earned praise for his recruitment at Bournemouth and could now head to Anfield at the end of the season.
Hughes had a fascinating playing career, starting his career in the youth ranks at Atalanta despite being born in Glasgow.
Hughes ended up with Arsenal before racking up the appearances with Bournemouth and Portsmouth.
Edwards and Hughes crossed paths at Portsmouth during the Harry Redknapp era – and the former Pompey boss has raved about Hughes having also worked with him at Bournemouth in 2021.
Speaking to the Daily Record in 2021, Redknapp praised Hughes for his ‘excellent’ knowledge of players around the world.
Redknapp noted that Hughes can give ‘chapter and verse’ on potential signings, believing that his knowledge makes him ‘so valuable’.
Redknapp highlighted that Hughes can speak fluent Italian after his time with Atalanta, praising him as a ‘great lad’.
“Richard’s knowledge of players is excellent, not just in Britain but across the world. He speaks fluent Italian, he’s a great lad,” said Redknapp.
“Richard’s an interesting character, he has a cosmopolitan side to him and if you talk to him about any player from any part of the world, he seems to know almost everyone. He will give you chapter and verse on players I don’t know well. It’s that depth of knowledge and study which he puts into recruitment which makes him so valuable,” he added.
Hughes has only grown his reputation since those comments and Edwards seemingly believes that Hughes can make a big impact at Liverpool.
Maybe Hughes will use his Italian connections to bring some Serie A stars to Anfield, but having the backing of both Edwards and Redknapp may give fans confidence about his arrival.
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