Liverpool are poised to win the race for highly rated Derby midfielder Will Hughes, with the club set to lodge a £6million bid this week.

Hughes is considered one of the best prospects in England, and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to bring him to Anfield this summer.

Arsenal, Chelsea and even Manchester United have all been linked with the 18-year-old, who has already racked up nearly 50 first-team appearances.

But it is Liverpool who lead the race, with Rodgers ready to bid after sending chief scout Dave Fallows to check on Hughes during the England Under-21s’ win over Scotland last week.