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Liverpool set for summer upheaval after big money Saudi Arabia approach for Arne Slot favourite
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 18 Mar 2026 21:17 GMT
- 4 min read
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Liverpool could make an intriguing change to their hierarchy after their difficult season, with sporting director Richard Hughes lined up for an exit this summer after just two years in the job.
Hughes was appointed as the club’s sporting director in March 2024 and oversaw the club winning the Premier League in his first full campaign before leading a spending spree of almost €500 million last year.
However, a number of Liverpool’s summer acquisitions have yet to demonstrate their value and the club now sit in danger of missing out on Champions League football next season, just one year after their title success.
Hughes’ contract is set to run until 2027 but the 46-year-old may be given an opportunity to take on a new opportunity, with The Athletic confirming that he has been outlined as the leading contender to became Al-Hilal’s new sporting director.
The Saudi Arabian outfit have a long-standing interest in Hughes and are hoping for him to start work this summer by tempting the Scotsman with a lucrative pay package.
Hughes has already been a familiar figure to Al-Hilal having sold Darwin Nunez to the them last summer, while a 2024 approach for Mohamed Salah by the Saudi Pro League side was blocked by Liverpool.
Liverpool desperate to keep hold of highly-rated Hughes
Hughes is still highly thought of by Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and they are keen to keep hold of their sporting director to avoid further upheaval after a turbulent year.
FSG are said to have been impressed by Hughes’ diligent work in appointing Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor and his composure when dealing with contractual situations for Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who went on to join Real Madrid for €10m.
Slot is also understood to have a close relationship with Hughes, with the pair having offices next to each other at Liverpool's training ground, and a change in director could increase uncertainty surrounding the manager's future.
Consequently, he has attracted the attention of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to lead the project at Al-Hilal, who themselves sit second in the Pro League, three points behind leaders Al-Nassr and likely to make significant changes to their squad this summer.
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