Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is close to joining Al-Hilal, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
The Liverpool chief is in advanced talks with the officials of the billionaire-owned Saudi Pro League (SPL) club to become their new sporting director.
Al-Hilal are open to allowing Hughes to work with the Reds during the summer transfer window before bringing him to the Middle East.
Liverpool are looking to rebuild their squad after hiring a new manager and will not be keen on losing their sporting director right now.
It is unclear whether the Merseyside club will be open to letting him leave even after the summer transfer window.
Hughes joined Liverpool from 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 the SPL could appeal to him.
Al-Hilal missed out on the title by just two points in 2025-26 and will look to re-establish their domestic dominance next season.
They have the cash to splash and will look to lure top European players to the Middle East through Hughes’ help.
Al-Hilal currently have 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 regularly challenge for the AFC Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
