HILAL AIM FOR SALAH & LIVERPOOL’S DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL: Reports

Al-Hilal Pursues Liverpool’s Hughes and Reportedly Eyes Mohamed Salah

Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal is intensifying its efforts to reshape its sporting leadership and potentially add significant star power to its roster, with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes and forward Mohamed Salah both reportedly targets. The moves signal a continued ambition from the Saudi-backed club to elevate its profile and competitiveness on the global stage.

According to reports originating from Saudi sports outlet Almurصد الرياضية, Al-Hilal isn’t solely focused on securing a new sporting director; the club also has its sights set on acquiring Egyptian international Mohamed Salah. While the reports don’t detail the specifics of a potential bid for Salah, they indicate a broadening scope to Al-Hilal’s recruitment plans beyond simply administrative changes.

Richard Hughes, appointed Liverpool’s sporting director in March 2024, is seen as a key figure in the club’s recent successes, including the appointment of Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor and overseeing a significant £449 million ($599m) transfer spend in the summer of 2025. He has just over 12 months remaining on his three-year contract, but Al-Hilal reportedly hopes to secure his services before the start of next season. Multiple sources, including The Athletic and This Is Anfield, confirm Al-Hilal’s strong interest in Hughes.

The pursuit of Hughes comes as Al-Hilal, one of four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), seeks to build upon its recent recruitment of high-profile players like Karim Benzema. The PIF’s substantial financial backing allows clubs like Al-Hilal to offer lucrative packages that are proving increasingly attractive to individuals within European football. Goal.com reports that Al-Hilal is prepared to offer Hughes a “lucrative package” to entice him away from Anfield.

Liverpool’s current season has been marked by inconsistency, failing to build on their Premier League title win. Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, their domestic form has been underwhelming. This relative downturn could potentially influence Hughes’s decision-making, although he remains a highly regarded figure within the club. Hughes previously spoke about the club’s transfer strategy, emphasizing the importance of identifying the “right player for the right system” regardless of transfer fees.

The potential departure of Hughes, coupled with speculation surrounding Salah, presents a significant challenge for Liverpool. Losing a key figure in their sporting structure, particularly one credited with recent successes, would require careful navigation. The interest in Salah, while currently unconfirmed beyond initial reports, adds another layer of complexity.

Looking ahead, the coming months will be crucial. Al-Hilal is expected to formally approach Liverpool regarding Hughes, and the club’s response will be pivotal. The situation surrounding Salah remains less clear, but any concrete move from Al-Hilal would undoubtedly generate significant attention. For Liverpool, retaining key personnel and maintaining a competitive squad will be paramount as they aim to regain their position as a dominant force in English and European football. The broader trend of Saudi clubs aggressively pursuing talent from Europe’s top leagues is likely to continue, creating ongoing challenges for clubs like Liverpool in retaining their key assets.