Rush Confirms No Deal in Place for Liverpool to Sign £15m Midfielder

Liverpool have no plans to bid for Derby County sensation Will Hughes in January despite regular scouting trips to Pride Park.

Earlier this week it was suggested that Liverpool were prepared to make an offer of £15m when the transfer window opens in the new year, with speculation increasing when Andre Wisdom was loaned to the Championship club.

However, the Liverpool Echo have revealed that while the Reds have consistently monitored the performances of the young midfielder, they will not make an offer this season.

Derby chief executive Sam Rush was also quick to deny any reports that Widom joining Steve McClaren's side meant that Liverpool would have first refusal on Hughes.

"I think the Andre Wisdom deal was very much as a result of Liverpool's desire for him to come to Derby and further his football education," Rush told Sky Sports.

"Andre was the top of Steve McClaren's list of people he wanted to bring in to strengthen the squad. So no, there is no connection with Will Hughes at all.

"There has been no further movement in terms of Will. From our point of view, we are just looking forward to watching him continue to play for Derby County."

The 18-year-old has already made 16 appearances in all competitions for Derby this season and is fast carving out a reputation as one of the best young midfielders in the country.

Hughes has been capped four times by England at U21 level and McClaren has previously stated that he is aware that a bigger club will one day poach him from Derby.

"Eventually he will be too good. What we need behind that is players coming through to replace him," admitted McClaren earlier this month.

Liverpool have handed a number of young players a chance to shine in the first team under Brendan Rodgers but it seems the club are willing to see how Hughes progresses at Derby this season before thinking of making an offer.