Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes close to joining Al Hilal | OneFootball

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is close to joining Al-Hilal, according to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The Liverpool chief is in advanced talks with the officials of the billionaire-owned Saudi Pro League club to become their new sporting director after leaving the Anfield club.

Al-Hilal are open to allowing Hughes work with the Reds during the summer transfer window before bringing him to the Middle East.

Hughes and Fenway Sports Group CEO of football Michael Edwards sacked Arne Slot a week ago and have since replaced him with Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool are looking to a squad rebuild after hiring a new manager and will not be keen on losing their sporting director right now.

It also remains to be seen whether the Merseyside club will be open to letting him leave even after the summer window.

Hughes joined Liverpool from AFC Bournemouth in 2024 and has been a key man at the club, helping to oversee recruitment.

The 46-year-old was the technical director with the Cherries and a move to Saudi could appeal to him.

21-time Saudi Pro League winners Al-Hilal missed out on the title by just two points in 2025-26 and will look to re-establish their domestic dominance going forward.

They have the cash to splash and will look to lure top European players to the Middle East through Hughes’ help.

Simone Inzaghi-led Al-Hilal currently have the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Neves, Theo Hernandez, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Karim Benzema on their books.

They want to become one of the biggest clubs on the planet and challenge regularly for the AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.

It is why they want to recruit Hughes’ services and Liverpool will need a solid option to replace him if they let him leave.