Richard Hughes showdown looms as Al-Hilal make first move for forward | OneFootball

Liverpool are active in the market for one-v-one quality out wide.

Mohamed Salah has brought down the curtain on a glorious spell at Anfield - reaching an agreement to rip up his £400k per week contract one year early.

But Andoni Iraola is now searching for a successor after missing out on first-choice Yan Diomande.

It’s believed that Bradley Barcola is now the main name in the frame to move to Merseyside - with the Paris Saint-Germain winger rejecting the chance to sign a new contract.

Liverpool need to pay £145m for Bradley Barcola

While PSG are not actively seeking to sell it has been reported that a price tag of £145m has been placed on the 23-year-old. That is a very high fee - obliterating the £125m record that Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last year.

The chances of this deal going through are very much in the balance and it is only natural that Reds’ recruiters would consider alternatives.

Liverpool on alert as Al-Hilal move for Iliman Ndiaye

One new name to emerge in a recent report from TEAMtalk is Iliman Ndiaye. The 25-year-old Everton star is under contract for another three years but he is expected to be approached by several teams this summer including Liverpool.

Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia are thought to be leading the chase - despite landing Crysencio Summerville. Liverpool as well as Manchester United on now on alert as Al-Hilal’s actions may well provoke a bid from within the Premier League.

“Everton are facing a major battle to keep hold of Iliman Ndiaye after Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal launched a move for the Senegal international, with the approach also putting the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd on alert,” the report reads.

“Liverpool remain firmly in the market for attacking reinforcements and we understand Ndiaye continues to have strong backing from members of the club’s recruitment department.

“The Reds are searching for another option on the right side of their attack should they be unable to land their top target Bradley Barcola and believe Ndiaye’s creativity and Premier League experience make him an attractive option as they continue assessing the market.”

Richard Hughes heading for Al-Hilal

An added layer of intrigue comes from the reports that sporting director Richard Hughes is set to depart Anfield for Al-Hilal at the end of the window.

It has been suggested that the Scottish executive is already preparing for life in the Saudi Pro League and it will be interesting to see what occurs if Liverpool get involved in a transfer race for an Al-Hilal target this summer.