Liverpool are having a summer to remember and Richard Hughes has been the key mastermind behind it all.
The Reds have always been shrewd negotiators in the transfer market, especially ever since Michael Edwards arrived at the club.
And, since he made the step up to Chief Executive of Football, he passed the baton on to Hughes, who has excelled after a shaky start.
The former Bournemouth sporting director failed to sign anyone of note during his first season at the club, although this was not solely his fault, but this summer has seen him lay down a real marker of intent.
He has shown his genius when it comes to both buying and selling, with the latter something that has gone under the radar as he could also be about to pull off another simply stunning deal.
Darwin Nunez pictured playing for Liverpool in their Premier League game against Brentford.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Richard Hughes was right with his Darwin Nunez stance
After spending close to £300m, Liverpool were always going to sell players, not to comply with PSR rules, but just to raise some finances and trim down the squad.
Darwin Nunez is one player in particular who looked nailed on to leave this summer, and it still looks like this, but Hughes’ stance on the striker was making it tricky to find clubs who were willing to take the gamble on him.
From the start, Liverpool have wanted around £65m for the Uruguayan, quite a steep figure given the rather torrid time he has had at Anfield over the past three seasons.
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However, Hughes stayed firm and insisted that they wanted a good chunk of money for their former record signing, something he might now get as Saudi clubs start to circle.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal are keen on bringing in the 26-year-old, with the Saudi side already presenting their project to him in the hope he can be convinced.
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🚨🇸🇦 Understand Al Hilal have presented their project and plan to Darwin Nunez in recent days.
Talks will follow with player and club side to understand financial details of the deal. pic.twitter.com/lK75GLeSE4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2025
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As everyone knows, Saudi clubs owned by PIF certainly have the money to spend, and are usually willing to do so, meaning there would be no reason for Liverpool to lower their asking price at this moment in time.
AC Milan are also another club interested, suggesting the Reds can use this competition to keep their price tag much higher than it probably should be.
Hughes was questioned a little bit when Napoli wanted Nunez but he was unwilling to negotiate, although he might have been proven right as to why he was so firm on his stance, suggesting he might even deserve an apology if he does manage to pull this off.
The lack of strikers on the market may benefit Liverpool
As seen this summer, almost every club has been wanting a new number nine, and although there are a fair amount available, the quality on offer is perhaps not up to the standard that has been seen in the past.
And, with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres and, soon-to-be, Benjamin Sesko all snapped up, the pool of potential candidates is reduced even further.
That being said, any club still needing a striker could turn to Nunez as he is one of the better options available, which is what appears to be happening.
Al Hilal are frontrunners but it now depends on where the striker wants to go, with Hughes very much hoping that he chooses to play his football in the Kingdom this summer.