Sporting director Richard Hughes is not leaving Liverpool this summer, talkSPORT understands.
Hughes, whose contract runs until the end of next season, is subject of firm interest from Al-Hilal, but FSG want him to stay, and the Saudi club’s approach has been rebuffed with full focus on an important transfer window for Liverpool.
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot during a press conference
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Hughes was with Bournemouth's recruitment team under Eddie Howe before he moved to Liverpool last year and has helped with the transformation post-Klopp.Credit: Getty
Sources indicate Hughes remains invested in rebuilding Liverpool, which was always planned to take several windows following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
Saudi sources are optimistic of signing Hughes to their project at some point in a move driven by incoming majority owner Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, but there is no indication any move is agreed or imminent.
Prince Al-Waleed has always held a minority stake in the club and privately funded the arrival of Karim Benzema in January.
He is now set to take further control and has ambitious plans for after the 2026 World Cup.
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FSG are very keen to keep hold of Hughes, believing he has done an excellent job in managing the transition post-Klopp.
Liverpool’s significant transfer activity has been done at a net spend of around £150m across four windows, and there remains a firm belief last summer’s business, including the arrival of British transfer record signing Alexander Isak, will pay off as the squad builds chemistry.
Liverpool are in for a busy summer with an acceptance a further 3–4 first-team players are needed, including at least one winger.
Mo Salah’s departure, coupled with Luis Diaz’s sale to Bayern in the off-season, make this area a top priority.
It is worth noting that Klopp’s own team also wasn’t built overnight and was the product of around five windows.
Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Joel Matip all arrived in 2016/17, Virgil Van Dijk, Mo Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andy Robertson all came in the following season, and Alisson, Naby Keïta, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri were signed in 2018/19.
Jurgen Klopp and Sadio Mane at Liverpool.
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Klopp helped turn Mane into one of the best players in the Premier League but it wasn't instantCredit: Getty
This is partly why Liverpool still back Arne Slot and believe a full rebuild under him is yet to take place. Hughes remains committed to that task.
The fact Hughes and FSG’s CEO of football Michael Edwards are both out of contract at the same time in 2027, along with Slot, presents a challenge for FSG.
Liverpool’s current strategy has been built on Edwards’ player trading, which may also require some senior player exits moving forward.
The plan is to have a stable summer as far as any senior executive restructuring is concerned and an active one in relation to trading led by Hughes.