How FSG are feeling about Richard Hughes after £450m transfer splurge | OneFootball

Liverpool kick-started their post-Jurgen Klopp era in 2024 with some crucial off-field signings.

Michael Edwards returned to the Fenway Sports Group fold - becoming the organisation’s CEO of Football. Richard Hughes meanwhile was appointed Liverpool’s sporting director - replacing Klopp confidante Jorg Schmadtke.

And then the Scot masterminded the recruitment of Klopp’s successor as Anfield head coach in Arne Slot.

The 2024 summer transfer window was a relatively quiet one for the Reds - adding only Federico Chiesa to the senior squad on a permanent deal from Juventus. But things really ramped up last summer - when Hughes oversaw £450m worth of new signings.

Richard Hughes wanted by Al-Hilal

The British transfer record was broken TWICE in deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Others - such as Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni were also recruited in a landmark campaign.

Right now we are still waiting to see the best of several of those signings - although Ekitike has taken to life on Merseyside with relish.

Last week it emerged that Hughes was in “advanced negotiations” with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Of course the Reds did business last summer with the Riyadh giants in a £46m deal for Darwin Nunez.

FSG are VERY happy with Richard Hughes

And then it seemed that the SPL club wanted Hughes to join his former No9 in the Kingdom. According to a new report in TBR Football, it can now be revealed that Hughes won’t be heading to Al-Hilal.

And, according to the same report, FSG decision-makers remain very content with Hughes’ performance since his installation as sporting director.

“Hughes is staying put at Liverpool – they’re very happy with what he’s done since joining from Bournemouth in 2024,” the report reads.

Liverpool managed to claw back around £200m in sales last summer - for Nunez, Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Ben Gannon-Doak, Caoimhin Kelleher, Tyler Morton, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Nat Phillips.

And challenges remain for the sporting director in the shape of contract renewals for Ibrahima Konate and others. But he has proven in his time at the club so far that he is a man to be trusted - and FSG know it too.