Liverpool supporters are patiently waiting for good news this weekend as they push for their first signing of the summer.
The fact that it has taken the Reds until the second week of August to come close to bringing in a new player is an oddity in itself.
However, with Arne Slot new through the door at Anfield and sporting director Richard Hughes also trying to get his bearings, perhaps it should not be a surprise.
Having now settled in nicely at the AXA Training Centre, both Slot and Hughes have seemingly combined to target Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi is facing a big decision between his boyhood club and a new future at Liverpool. As he weighs everything up, Hughes is taking on a key role for the Reds.
Richard Hughes playing big role
Hughes looked like a smart appointment for Liverpool. The Reds relied upon the old school style of Jorg Schmadtke last summer and the former Portsmouth midfielder is more what fans are used to.
A cultured player in his day, Hughes came through the youth team at Atalanta, having moved to Italy as a child. As a result, the 45-year-old is fluent in Italian and also speaks Spanish.
It stands to reason then, that Liverpool would look for some potential deals in both of those countries.
Reports have claimed that Liverpool are exploring the market in Spain and Italy and are also trying to sniff out releases clauses in player’s contracts. Hence, the targeting of Zubimendi.
Having someone who can speak the lingo can be incredibly helpful not only for thrashing out terms, but also for establishing contacts. And according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Hughes’ command of Spanish has been ‘huge’ in driving Liverpool’s push to sign Zubimendi.
READ MORE: Sky Sports journalist drops big hint about Liverpool’s move for Martin Zubimendi
“Richard Hughes has been pushing it massively,” Bailey exclusively tells Rousing The Kop. “The fact he speaks Spanish is huge and helps with the whole thing. It’s progressing.”
Asked how confident Liverpool are that they can convince Zubimendi to wave goodbye to his hometown club, Bailey says the Reds are ‘cautiously optimistic.’
“From what I’m hearing from Liverpool they’re not being boisterous,” he says. “I think hopeful is the word, cautiously optimistic. They know it’s a tough deal.
“Liverpool are pushing it without trying to hurry the deal. They know it’s a big decision for the player. So, I don’t think it’s moved on massively, Liverpool are still trying.”
Graeme Bailey explains Arsenal stance
Part of the reason it seemed tricky for Liverpool to sign Zubimendi this summer is because he’s thought to have turned down Arsenal in the past.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has actually claimed that Arsenal had no concrete interest in Zubimendi, but according to Bailey, the 25-year-old was Mikel Arteta’s first choice target.
“He backed away from Arsenal’s interest earlier in the summer,” says the reporter.
“Obviously Arsenal, as you would, claim there was no offer et cetera. But we know he was their first choice. He was Mikel Arteta’s first choice.”
With Hughes seemingly the driving force the Liverpool, let’s hope that Zubimendi makes an exception for the Reds.
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