Transfer Q&A Part Two: FSG's second club search continues and how many Reds stars could really leave
03/21/2025 02:00 PM
Liverpool have a long laundry list this summer as they look to build on what will likely be a Premier League-winning campaign.
Given their success in the league, some may expect the Reds to go yet again with the same squad.
However, that does not look set to be the case. As we revealed in part one of our transfer Q&A with Rousing The Kop expert Graeme Bailey on Thursday, Liverpool are going to be busy.
In Friday’s part two, Bailey discusses the players who could be making way at Anfield, as well as some of the finer points Richard Hughes and FSG are planning this year.
Are any major outgoings planned?
Liverpool have tended be a ‘sell to buy’ club for the most part under FSG and with significant spending expected in 2025, that surely cannot pass without some high profile exits.
And according to Bailey, there are a number of the Liverpool squad who could be set for the chop this summer.
“Well as discussed, one of the left-backs will be leaving,” he begins. “We know that Kelleher is going to leave, perhaps Alisson too but that now looks unlikely.
“Everyone presumes Endo could go but he has done pretty well so I don’t think he will be first out of the door.”
“In terms of the forwards, if Salah goes as we expect then how many more can go,” Bailey adds. “Chiesa will be allowed back to Italy, I think he will go and if that is the case – just how many more will be allowed out.
“Luis Diaz’s team are constantly putting it out that he will go without a new contract, whilst speculation over Jota continues but the most likely to follow Salah and Chiesa is Darwin Nunez, they will get good money for him. It is fair to say on Gakpo is assured of staying, but I don’t see it being more than three [forwards] moving on.”
What kind of profile is Richard Hughes expected to target?
Given that he has only made one immediate incoming signing since arriving at Liverpool last year, it is still hard for supporters to know what to expect from Hughes as sporting director.
But according to Bailey, the former Scotland midfielder is likely to stick to a tried and tested formula at Anfield.
“He is very well versed in the market domestically and foreign, he knows what he is doing,” says the reporter.
“I know Hughes and Edwards take a lot of stick, but they inherited this situation. I don’t think anyone will be out of reach if they really want them. Age profile, well we know it is unlikely to be someone well over 30 – we have seen FSG’s stance on Salah and van Dijk after all.”
Could we see Hughes return to Bournemouth for some signings?
During the months leading into the summer, Liverpool have been linked with Bournemouth defenders Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen.
Huijsen is expected to leave while Kerkez looks set to move to a top team either in the Premier League or abroad.
Given Hughes spent a number of years at Bournemouth before arriving at Liverpool, there is an obvious connection to make between the two clubs. And according to Bailey, the sporting director will not be put off by raiding his former club if the player is right.
“Well, there are players at Bournemouth they like – Kerkez and Huijsen two players they have done work on,” he says.
“But there are others who have done well there. I believe the player and not the club is the most important aspect, if they happen to be at Bournemouth, he will do it.”
What kind of role will Michael Edwards be playing this summer?
Along with Hughes, the jury is still very much out on Liverpool’s returning transfer guru Michael Edwards, who joined in a new role as FSG’s CEO of football.
Edwards was much celebrated during his previous stint with the Reds but has come under some fire for an apparant failure to tie up the ongoing contract situations at the club.
But Bailey says Edwards is not expected to be the main focus of Liverpool’s transfer pursuits this summer.
“He plays a part, he is not stepping on Hughes’ toes but they are working together as a whole,” he says.
Finally, are FSG still working to buy a second club?
One of the reasons Edwards was seemingly re-recruited by FSG this summer was because of the Liverpool owner’s plans to add a second football club to their portfolio. However, this is yet to materialise.
According to Bailey, though, it is something which is very much still in the thinking for the Americans.
“FSG, and others in the Premier League, have been very impressed with how BlueCo [Chelsea owners] have used their relationship with Strasbourg,” he says.
“I believe it is something they are assessing but yes, they are working on it.”
