Richard Hughes is Liverpool's sporting director; he oversaw the club's approximate $600 million expenditure during the 2025 summer transfer window and the appointment of Andoni Iraola
14:26, 08 Jun 2026Updated 14:30, 08 Jun 2026
Richard Hughes continues to be linked with an exit from Liverpool
Richard Hughes continues to be linked with an exit from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Richard Hughes is again being linked with a sensational move to Saudi Arabia.
While Liverpool's sporting director has just overseen the appointment of Andoni Iraola as Arne Slot's successor in the Anfield dugout, rumors of an exit are not going anywhere. It's claimed that Hughes is in "advanced talks" to become Al-Hilal's new sporting director.
As things stand, Hughes is set to embark on a busy summer on Merseyside. Despite spending around $600 million on new recruits this time last year, the Reds are expected to be active in the upcoming transfer window after a disappointing season under Slot.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to win silverware. While Slot still secured Champions League qualification, the Dutchman's failure to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title and underwhelming style of soccer led to his dismissal.
Hughes is now expected to work with Michael Edwards, Liverpool's football CEO, and Iraola to build a competitive squad for the upcoming campaign. Yet it's claimed that it could be his final act at Anfield.
According to sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who boasts more than 200,000 followers on the social media platform X, Hughes is "close" to becoming Al-Hilal's new sporting director.
Hughes is currently working alongside Michael Edwards at Liverpool
Hughes is currently working alongside Michael Edwards at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
It's claimed that Al-Hilal will allow Hughes to finish the transfer window at Liverpool before moving to Saudi Arabia in the autumn.
It's not the first time Hughes has been linked to Al-Hilal; rumors first emerged last month.
Hughes, 46, played for Bournemouth, Portsmouth, and Grimsby during his career. He played in the Premier League during his time at Portsmouth and became a full international, earning five senior caps for Scotland.
Hughes retired at Bournemouth and entered coaching, quickly working his way up the ranks. He eventually became Bournemouth's technical director and played a role in Iraola's 2023 appointment, which proved to be a masterstroke.
Iraola established the Cherries as a top-half Premier League side during his three-year spell in charge, even qualifying for next season's Europa League.
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Hughes left Bournemouth to become Liverpool's sporting director two years ago, helping the Reds win the Premier League title in 2025. Yet there are question marks over the executive after Liverpool's struggles last season and huge expenditure a year ago.
Liverpool.com says: Despite the reports, it seems unlikely that Hughes will quit Liverpool for Al-Hilal right now. Hughes has just appointed Iraola and will be keen to oversee a successful campaign at Anfield after last season's struggles under Slot.
While Hughes may see Iraola's arrival as his parting gift to Liverpool, he'll want to prove his critics wrong. He's also still got plenty of work to do at Anfield, considering the Reds are in desperate need of reinforcements in almost every department this summer, and may not want to be distracted by an impending move to the Middle East.