Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes expected to follow Simon Francis to Al Hilal | OneFootball

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal after the completion of his work during the current summer transfer window.

Although Hughes remains fully focused on Liverpool’s recruitment plans and supporting new head coach Andoni Iraola, preparations are already being made for his eventual move to Saudi Arabia.

Simon Francis has already completed his switch to Al Hilal and has taken charge of the club’s transfer strategy.

The former Bournemouth technical director is understood to be working on the expectation that Hughes will join him in Riyadh in the near future.

Hughes is contracted to Liverpool until June 2027, meaning any departure will follow an agreed transition period rather than an immediate exit.

That timetable would also allow Liverpool sufficient time to identify and integrate a successor into one of the club’s most important executive roles.

Hughes arrived at Anfield in March 2024 after establishing an impressive reputation during his time at Bournemouth.

The former Scotland international played a leading role in Liverpool’s football operations alongside Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football, Michael Edwards.

He helped oversee the appointment of Arne Slot in 2024 before later working with the club during a period of significant investment in the playing squad.

This summer, Hughes has continued to oversee Liverpool’s transfer business while working closely with Iraola ahead of the new campaign.

His expected move to Al Hilal would reunite him with Francis, with whom he shares a long-standing professional relationship.

The pair were team-mates during their playing careers at Bournemouth before later working together behind the scenes at the south coast club.

Francis succeeded Hughes as Bournemouth’s technical director before deciding to accept Al Hilal’s offer earlier this summer.

Al Hilal have continued strengthening their football structure following major changes to the club’s ownership.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund sold a 70 per cent stake in the club to Kingdom Holding Company, significantly reshaping the ownership of one of Asia’s biggest clubs.

The Saudi side are currently managed by former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi and boast a squad featuring several established European stars, including Karim Benzema, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Hughes has not yet signed a formal agreement with Al Hilal, but the expectation remains that he will become the latest high-profile football executive to move to the Saudi Pro League.

For now, however, his priority remains completing Liverpool’s summer business before bringing his spell at Anfield to a close.