Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave the club next summer, with BBC Sport reporting he is likely to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal alongside former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis.
Hughes' current contract expires in June 2027, and he is not expected to sign a new deal to remain at Anfield beyond that date. Francis, who replaced Hughes as Bournemouth's technical director when Hughes was hired by Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group in 2024, is now leading Al Hilal's transfer activity after leaving the Cherries at the end of the season. Al Hilal and Francis are operating on the basis that Hughes will join the club.
“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave next summer, likely joining Al Hilal.”
The move would end a turbulent period for the 45-year-old at Liverpool. Hughes oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot as head coach in 2024 following Jurgen Klopp's departure. Slot won the Premier League in his first campaign but was sacked at the end of last season after a disappointing campaign. Hughes then appointed Andoni Iraola, whom he knew well from their time together at Bournemouth — Iraola was appointed Cherries head coach in 2023 on Hughes' advice.
Despite the uncertainty over Hughes' future, Liverpool are pressing ahead with their summer transfer business. The club have signed French defender Jeremy Jacquet, whose signature was secured in January before Iraola's arrival, and Spanish winger Victor Munoz. Midfielder Harvey Elliott is set to return to the club after his loan spell at Aston Villa expired.
Liverpool continue to be linked with attackers including Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola, but are set to be disappointed in their pursuit of Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande, who prefers a move to PSG this summer.
This week, Liverpool officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be part of Iraola's backroom staff as first-team coaches at Anfield. Pablo de la Torre joins as an assistant coach, marking the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club. Tom Webber, who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, will join Liverpool as first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis at the Cherries.
As it stands, both Hughes and Liverpool remain focused solely on the current transfer window and the forthcoming season — the first for Iraola. Whether Hughes sees out his contract or departs early for Saudi Arabia remains to be seen, but the groundwork for his exit appears already laid.