LIVERPOOL SPORTING DIRECTOR HUGHES TO JOIN AL HILAL

Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, is not expected to sign a new contract with the club beyond 2027, according to BBC Sport. Hughes' current deal expires next June. BBC Sport understands he is likely to move to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, where he will work alongside former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis. Al Hilal and Francis are operating on the basis that Hughes will join the club.

Francis previously worked with Hughes at Bournemouth, where he replaced Hughes as technical director when Hughes joined Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group in 2024. Francis left Bournemouth at the end of the season and is now leading Al Hilal's transfer activity. Hughes and Liverpool are currently focused solely on the present transfer window and the forthcoming season, which marks the first under head coach Andoni Iraola. Iraola was appointed after Arne Slot's departure; Slot won the Premier League in his first campaign but was sacked following a disappointing subsequent season.

Liverpool have signed French defender Jeremy Jacquet and Spanish winger Victor Munoz this summer, with Jacquet's transfer completed in January. Midfielder Harvey Elliott is set to return after his loan spell at Aston Villa concluded. Liverpool continue to be linked with Paris St-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola but are expected to miss out on Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande, who prefers a move to PSG. Liverpool have appointed Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper as first-team coaches, whilst Pablo de la Torre joins as assistant coach and Tom Webber as first-team tactical coach.