Despite the painful defeat against Manchester United on Sunday, it has been a positive week for Liverpool.
The nature of the loss at Old Trafford will sting for a little while yet. However, it should be dulled by the news that Richard Hughes has been confirmed as the club’s new sporting director.
One interesting point that has repeatedly been made about Hughes is that he spent much of his younger years in Italy. According to The Times, the 44-year-old began his footballing career as a youth player with Atalanta. He also reportedly speaks fluent Italian.
As a result, it isn’t too much of a stretch to expect the Serie A market to now open up a little more to Liverpool. And with that in mind, there’s been some interesting news today.
Matias Soule dreaming of Premier League
It’s clear that Serie A’s glory years have long since passed. Once the place to be for top footballers in Europe, Italy’s top division has fallen by the wayside.
Nevertheless, there are still plenty of very good players plying their trade in the peninsula.
One of the standouts this season has been Juventus winger Matias Soule. On-loan at lowly Frosinone, Soule has sparkled. With 10 goals and two assists in 29 Serie A matches, the 20-year-old looks like a real talent.
And in quotes relayed by journalist Fabrizio Romano on X today, it sounds like Soule has his eye on a move to England.
“I’d like to have a chance at Juventus, for sure,” the Argentine admitted, before adding “my dream is to play in Premier League one day, it’s just a fantastic league.”
Who is Matias Soule
Soule may be a new name for a lot of people, but he’s been a talent at Juventus for some time now. Having broken through in the 2021/22 season following a move from Velez Sarsfield in 2020, he’s already played 21 games for the Old Lady.
And his performances this season have led to Frosinone sporting director Guido Angelozzi to label Soule as the ‘new Paulo Dybala’ [Il Bianconero].
On the international stage, the forward has been capped by former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano at U20 level.
What makes Soule interesting in terms of the Reds is that he’s a left-footed, right-sided forward. If Liverpool find themselves needing to replace Mohamed Salah this summer then Hughes’ presence may lead them to Soule.
The Reds have today been told that it would ‘make sense’ for them to sell Salah. If they follow that advice then the Juve youngster could be one to soften the blow.
It sounds like Soule would be very open to that, and in Hughes, Liverpool should have the man to get it done.