Report: Liverpool using Andre Wisdom as Will Hughes makeweight

Liverpool are reported planning to loan out Andre Wisdom to Derby County as a way of prompting transfer negotiations over their highly-rated midfielder Will Hughes.

Reports have emerged that Wisdom is a target of new Rams boss Steve McClaren, who is keen to add the 20-year-old to an injury-depleted defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine games.

The England Under-21 captain is expected to complete a short-term move to Pride Park this week, and the Daily Star claims that Liverpool hope to use their loaning of Wisdom to Derby as a makeweight in a potential deal for Hughes.

The talented 18-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, so the Reds are seemingly trying to do everything in their power to put them in a favourable position to sign him.

Hughes has made 50 Championship appearances for Derby, scoring four times since debuting in 2011.