Liverpool still need to make a fair few moves before their team is strong enough to challenge for the Premier League title.
Most people expected them to retain their trophy in the 2025-26 season but, instead, they did so much worse.
They may have qualified for the Champions League but, when a team spends over £450 million on new players, you'd at least expect them to be within a few points of first place.
This was obviously far from the case which is why so many players are now being linked with a Liverpool move this summer.
Each area of their team could do with an upgrade and now, it seems like the club are willing to take a huge risk in order to get a deal for one of their targets over the line.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is now one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world.
The Morocco international has taken the World Cup by storm despite only being 18 years old.
He managed to help control Morocco's midfield and was arguably one of the best-performing defensive midfielders at the tournament.
This form has led to several of the biggest clubs from across the world being linked with a move for him and now, Football Insider have shared an update which proves how much Richard Hughes is willing to sacrifice to sign Bouaddi.
"Liverpool and Arsenal are both reluctantly prepared to loan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi back to Lille if they can sign him this summer, sources have told Football Insider," they wrote.
"The French side are hoping to keep the 18-year-old for one more season, and both Premier League clubs are willing to accept that demand if it is the only way to get a deal done.
"Both Liverpool and Arsenal are huge admirers of Bouaddi, while Manchester City are also hoping to make a move to sign him ahead of next season.
"Sources have indicated that Lille will demand close to the £100million mark for the starlet, who has dazzled for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup.
"The Premier League trio are set to find it “very difficult” to sign Bouaddi, due to the combination of his price tag and Lille’s desire to have him back on loan.
"He has already been earmarked by several elite clubs as one of European football’s best emerging midfield talents, and the race for his signature is expected to go down to the wire.
Since Bouaddi is only 18 years old, stepping straight up to the Premier League from Ligue 1 might be a bit of a jump.
So, on the face of things, loaning the youngster back to Lille for a season makes a lot of sense.
However, since the Reds are in desperate need for a new defensive midfielder after Ryan Gravenberch's poor form and since they only have a limited amount of money to spend, splashing £100 million on the Moroccan feels like a huge risk.
Indeed, he could become even better during the 2026-27 season but, since they already need a defensive midfielder, waiting until a year after paying for him to see him feature for Liverpool feels like a huge mistake.
That is, especially when there are so many areas among their ranks that need upgrading at the moment.
Of course, Bouaddi would be an exceptional signing if Liverpool could bring him in and keep him at Anfield but, if the only was for the 18-year-old to leave France this summer is to loan him back, it's a deal that Hughes and Andoni Iraola should avoid.
