Liverpool have fended off interest from Manchester United and Arsenal to win the race for Derby County's highly-rated midfielder Will Hughes, according to the Express. Hughes has been a long-term target for Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, having impressed in central midfield recently for The Rams. United's David Moyes and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger had also shown interest, but the 18-year-old looks to be on his way to Anfield after Liverpool agreed to meet Derby's £12 million asking price. According to reports, the Reds will officially land the starlet when the transfer window reopens for business in January, with the expected move coming as a bitter pill to swallow for Moyes and Wenger. Both had watched Hughes' development with interest, particularly Moyes, who is looking to revive his current midfield at Old Trafford. And the Scot was put on alert last month when new Derby manager Steve McClaren admitted he was prepared to let Hughes leave, as long as an interested party met the Championship side's £12 million valuation. But it would now appear as though Liverpool have beaten their domestic rivals to the punch for the exciting young talent, who has struck four goals this season.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
