A new report has claimed sporting director Richard Hughes is “100 percent” committed to Liverpool this summer, amid speculation over a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
Having taken over in 2024 and appointed Arne Slot to take over from Jurgen Klopp, Hughes has just one year left on his Liverpool contract.
Speaking on NBC, journalist David Ornstein said: “I’m told he’s 100 percent committed to remaining for this transfer window and leading Liverpool into next season.
“Beyond that, we’ll wait and see because he is out of contract in the summer of 2027. Sporting directors tend to be judged on completing transfer windows.
“He’s been heavily linked with Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. They are interested but I’m assured nothing has been agreed on that front.”
Richard Hughes links to Al-Hilal
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes before the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
These comments come following reports from the Middle East that Hughes is in talks to join Al-Hilal.
Following an interview with Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi, La Gazzetta dello Sport recently claimed that Hughes has agreed a move.
Like Ornstein, the UK press has refuted this; talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook claimed that Al-Hilal’s advances were “rebuffed” and that FSG “want [Hughes] to stay” ahead of an “important transfer window.”
Michael Edwards’ deal expires in 2027
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's Director of Football Michael Edwards before the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As well as Hughes, the contracts of Slot and FSG’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, also expire in 2027.
The latter came back to work on FSG’s multi-club plans, but the Athletic‘s James Pearce recently reported, citing senior sources, that those plans have been “shelved” and there is “no immediate prospect of them being revived.”
Edwards, alongside technical director Julian Ward and director of football development Pedro Marques, has travelled around Europe since 2024 to scout and assess second club options.
Deals for French side Bordeaux, Spanish outfits Malaga and Getafe, as well as Monaco, were explored but there were various roadblocks, including financial and UEFA multi-club ownership rules.
Despite the hurdles, Sky Sports say he will stay in his position along with the sporting director, for the short-term at least.
LIVERPOOL FC STAFF & KEY PERSONNEL: 2025/26
Department Personnel & Job Title
Owners John W. Henry (FSG Principal Owner)
Tom Werner (FSG Chairman)
Mike Gordon (FSG President)|
|Fenway Sports Group (FSG)|Michael Edwards (FSG CEO Football)
Julian Ward (FSG Technical Director)
Pedro Marques (FSG Director of Football Development)|
|Recruitment & Research|Richard Hughes (Sporting Director)
David Woodfine (Assistant Sporting Director)
Matt Newberry (Director of Global Talent)
William Spearman (Director of Research)|
|Coaching Staff|Arne Slot (Head Coach)
Sipke Hulshoff (First Assistant Coach)
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Assistant Coach)|