'Wait and see': Richard Hughes moves closer to stunning Saudi deal

Richard Hughes was a key figure in the post-Jurgen Klopp shakeup at Liverpool.

Brought to the club by FSG’s CEO of Football Michael Edwards Hughes played a significant role in signing up Arne Slot as head coach.

Having left his post as Bournemouth’s technical director the Scot exec was brought to Anfield as sporting director. His decision to hire Arne Slot was an immediate hit with Liverpool winning the Premier League during the Dutchman’s first season in charge.

But Slot’s tenure is now at an end following a poor second season. Hughes, 46, has gone all in on Andoni Iraola instead – hiring the Spaniard for a second time in his career having overseen his appointment at Bournemouth.

Plenty of scrutiny has been on Hughes’ work as sporting director in recent months.

The decision to offer Mohamed Salah a £400k per week contract has proven to be a poor one. And a very expensive £450m spending spree last summer made the Premier League champions worse, not better.

Richard Hughes is closer than ever to Al-Hilal deal

Hughes is only under contract on Merseyside until 2027 – the same as Michael Edwards. Accordingly it has been suggested that the ex-midfielder could soon be moving on – with noise increasing about a deal with Al-Hilal.

The Saudi Pro League giants are in the midst of an administrative restructure and want to bring Hughes to the Middle East as part of the reshuffle.

That’s according to Sacha Tavolieri on X, who claims that the Reds’ sporting director is moving closer to a deal. “Richard Hughes close to Al Hilal!” he writes.

“Liverpool FC’s current sporting director is in advanced talks with Saudi officials to become Al Hilal’s new sporting director.

“Saudi plan’s for Hughes is to let him work on the Reds’ next window before beginning a potential move. Wait&See.”