Richard Hughes is again claimed to have agreed to join Saudi club Al-Hilal, with the latest reports on the Liverpool sporting director particularly interesting.
Despite the insistence that Hughes is set to stay at Liverpool this summer, the 46-year-old continues to be linked with a job at Al-Hilal.
Thursday has brought new claims that a deal is now agreed to take over as sporting director at the Saudi Pro League side, with an announcement coming imminently.
That is according to La Gazzetta dello Sport – per Sport Witness – as part of their interview with Al-Hilal’s head coach Simone Inzaghi.
It is assumed that the information regarding Hughes has come from Inzaghi himself, with it explained that they are expected to meet soon.
Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi during the UEFA Europa League group E match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 24, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Celtic. Photo credit should read: Steve Welsh/PA Wire
However, it remains to be seen whether the Scot is being lined up to join immediately or when his contract at Liverpool expires next year.
If Hughes does depart at the end of the season, it would prompt further change in Liverpool’s hierarchy amid ongoing doubts over Arne Slot‘s job as head coach.
talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook reported earlier this month that Al-Hilal’s advances had been “rebuffed” and that Fenway Sports Group “want [Hughes] to stay” ahead of an “important transfer window.”
But speculation has not died down, with further claims of a three-year deal in place and that Hughes had requested to remain in the UK while only travelling when required.
Slot, Hughes and FSG’s CEO of football Michael Edwards are all contracted to 2027 with no indication that any of them have been offered new deals.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Friday, July 5, 2024: Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot (L) and Sporting Director Richard Hughes are presented at a photo call at the club's AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Telegraph‘s Sam Wallace revealed this month that Edwards and Hughes had only intended to stay at Liverpool for the duration of their three-year deals, while the lack of commitment to Slot hints at a similar arrangement.
Hughes has remained largely silent in his position as sporting director throughout a difficult season for the club and their head coach.
Speaking in a rare appearance as part of Liverpool’s Reds Roundtable series in February, he underlined his stance on Slot’s future.
“Once you’ve got the right person and you believe in that person, the judgment is not something that’s happening on a daily basis,” he explained.
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“You’re working together to achieve something together.
“Did it help that we came in at the same time? Possibly, probably. I think it’s more important though that we had synergy right from the first moment.”
He added: “We’re trying to find the best people possible in their particular position to come and join the club and take it forward in a really meaningful way.
“This has been a challenging last several months, but I think there’s an element of patience which is required – difficult in the world we live in.”
Richard Hughes’ 5 biggest signings and sales as Liverpool sporting director
5 Biggest Signings
Player From Fee
Alexander Isak Newcastle £125m
Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen £116m
Hugo Ekitike Frankfurt £79m
Milos Kerkez Bournemouth £40m
Jeremie Frimpong Bayer Leverkusen £29.5m
5 Biggest Sales
Player To Fee
Luis Diaz Bayern Munich £65.6m
Darwin Nunez Al-Hilal £46m
Jarell Quansah Bayer Leverkusen £35m
Fabio Carvalho Brentford £27.5m
Sepp van den Berg Brentford £25m