£26m deal would solve Richard Hughes' midfielder transfer mistake

Liverpool fans were disappointed to see some of their club’s homegrown talents walk out the door last summer.

Leading the way was Trent Alexander-Arnold - who refused to sign a new contract and instead joined Real Madrid in a cut-price £10m deal.

Caoimhin Kelleher also left - along with promising young defender Jarell Quansah. The need to sell these players is understandable; they represent “pure profit” and those two in particular were never first choice.

But it’s never nice to have to wave goodbye to one of our own - and another boyhood Red who left without a fair chance was Tyler Morton.

Tyler Morton flourishing in Ligue 1

The midfielder made a big breakthrough on loan at Hull City during the 2023/24 season but failed to make it into Arne Slot’s plans at all during the subsequent Premier League title-winning campaign.

With his contract running down the 23-year-old was sold to Lyon for an initial £9m - representing a huge bargain for the Ligue 1 side.

Morton is now establishing himself as one of the most in-demand midfielders in Europe - and according to Sport in France he’s got Chelsea on his trail.

Liam Rosenior wants Morton at Chelsea

Along with Lens’ Mamadou Sangare it is being claimed that Morton is on Liam Rosenior’s wishlist - with the Chelsea boss having extensive experience in France as Strasbourg coach and managed Morton on loan at Hull.

The report claims that Lyon’s mettle would be tested with a €30m (£28m) bid this summer - and if Morton is available this is a deal that Richard Hughes cannot afford to miss.

Morton has developed since moving away from Anfield and looks set to play a big role at a major club in the next few seasons.

Why not at Liverpool? He knows the club inside out and will have a deep affinity with supporters.

Moreover Liverpool require options in centre midfield - and a new No6 could help push Ryan Gravenberch further forward and allow the Dutchman to flourish.

Of course it must be acknowledged that Hughes may have made a mistake in selling Morton - given his immediate rise - but the time is coming to make amends.

Morton can add quality and numbers to Liverpool’s midfield - and also help in terms of homegrown players following a summer when several left.