Heads must roll: Richard Hughes ‘juggling’ Liverpool and Al-Hilal transfers as conflict of interest claim emerges
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A new claim made by investigative football journalist Romain Molina suggests that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has been “juggling” transfer negotiations for the Reds and Al-Hilal. Now, however, Molina reports that despite these assurances, Hughes has been juggling transfer duties for Liverpool and Al-Hilal this summer, with a legal conflict of interest now coming into question.
Molina reports on X: “Richard Hughes is officially leaving Liverpool to become Al-Hilal’s new sporting director, but he’s already overseeing this summer transfer window for the Saudi club. “Both sides made concessions to reach an agreement, which has already been signed, and the Scotsman has been juggling both clubs a bit this summer (which is drawing smirks in the industry…)” Richard Hughes va officiellement quitter Liverpool pour être le nouveau directeur sportif d'Al-Hilal mais il supervise déjà ce mercato estival pour le club saoudien Ironiquement, il avait refusé la première offre d'Al-Hilal il y a quelques temps en proposant des conditions pas… pic.twitter.com/Cv8AZ0qVhc — Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) August 30, 2026 Suddenly, Ismaila Sarr joining Liverpool feels murky amid a conflict of interest Before Liverpool even entered the fray for Sarr, Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ittihad were in the driving seat to sign Sarr, but Liverpool’s involvement now means that they are set to miss out.
Why this should be a massive issue for fans to feel justifiably upset about Think about the information Hughes would have access to as Liverpool’s sporting director. He potentially knows: Liverpool’s exact transfer targets Liverpool’s maximum valuations which alternatives Liverpool are considering which negotiations are advanced how urgently Liverpool need particular positions what Liverpool are prepared to pay which players Liverpool may sell internal assessments of players the identity of clubs Liverpool are negotiating with Liverpool’s preferred timing for deals even information about PSG’s negotiations surrounding Bradley Barcola And simultaneously, according to Molina, he’s helping Al-Hilal construct its squad and conduct its own transfer business.