Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave Anfield for the Saudi Pro League, with the current summer transfer window set to be his last at the club. Hughes, who joined Liverpool in March 2024 on a contract through to 2027, is poised to join Al Hilal and reunite with former Bournemouth teammate Simon Francis, according to The Athletic.
Move to Al Hilal
Francis, who replaced Hughes as Bournemouth's technical director when Hughes left for Liverpool, has already joined Al Hilal and is leading the club's transfer activity. The Athletic reports that both Francis and the club are operating on the assumption that Hughes will join them as part of their hierarchy. Hughes and Francis were teammates at Bournemouth during their playing careers and later worked together in the club's technical department.
Current Focus at Liverpool
Despite the impending move, Hughes remains focused on his current responsibilities at Liverpool, which include overseeing the club's transfer business and supporting new head coach Andoni Iraola. This summer's transfer window is expected to be his last before a transition period to allow his replacement to settle into the role. Hughes, alongside FSG's CEO of football Michael Edwards, helped hire Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp's departure and managed last summer's transfer business, which saw Liverpool twice break the British transfer record. The club later replaced Slot with Iraola, whom Hughes knew from his time at Bournemouth.
Al Hilal's Ambitions
Al Hilal, managed by former Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi, boasts a star-studded squad including Karim Benzema, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Neves, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Interestingly, Nunez has been linked with a move away from Al Hilal, with Liverpool touted as a potential destination. Al Hilal won the Saudi Pro League four times in five years, with their most recent title in 2024. They also claimed the Kings Cup last year and remain one of the Kingdom's elite clubs. The club has not hesitated to invest heavily in talent from Europe, both on and off the pitch. Inzaghi left Inter Milan in 2025 and reportedly signed a deal worth around £20 million annually.
