Liverpool’s summer transfer fee represented an extraordinary commitment by the club. The recruitment drive that cost the Reds an eye-watering £450m was partly orchestrated by sporting director Richard Hughes. Record amounts were invested in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Jeremy Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkes and Giovanni Leoni likewise took part in a significant rebuilding of the squad after winning the Premier League in Arne Slott’s first team.
However, despite their lavish investment, the Reds have had a disappointing performance this term and are in contention for a top-four spot. A development has now taken place that will cause a significant change in the club’s leadership structure, impacting both Hughes and Slott, but also potentially affecting how the club approaches its future transfer activities. In today’s news, Liverpool have growing concerns about the suitability of their promising summer signing. Express Sport looks into the situation further…
Hughes joined the Reds at the end of the 2023/24 season and proved an important presence throughout the slot era. However, those reports resurfaced in January with speculation linking the former Portsmouth player with a move to the Saudi Professional League.
Hughes’ contract with the Reds runs until June 2027, but reports in the Middle East suggest he has reached an agreement to join Al Hilal. The Telegraph subsequently revealed that he is in fact one of three candidates being considered for the Saudi club’s sporting director position.
Al Hilal are yet to approach Liverpool and the club are thought to be optimistic about him staying. If he chooses to join Al Hilal, Hughes will not begin his duties until the summer. Despite maintaining an unbeaten record, the Riyadh side currently sit second in the Pro League, three points behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasr.
They are owned by the country’s public investment fund, overseen by former Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi. Hughes was scouted by Liverpool’s chief football executive, Michael Edwards, from his equal capacity at Bournemouth, where he oversaw the appointment of Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool’s new defender Jeremy Jacquet fractured his shoulder last month and underwent surgery. And concerns are said to have increased within the Merseyside squad after it was revealed he would be undergoing rehabilitation.
Liverpool secured the signing of the centre-back after defeating Chelsea in January. They signed a £60m deal with Rennes, with £55m payable immediately and a further £5m in add-ons. The injury sustained in the league game against Lens was so serious that it required surgery, effectively ending his spell at the Ligue 1 club. On March 12, Rennes confirmed the success of the operation in a brief statement.
French newspaper Sport reported that Jaquet is expected to be sidelined for eight to 12 weeks. The same article suggested that Liverpool were “panicking” over the severity of Jaquet’s injury.
According to reports, the Reds are “already envisioning a partnership” with Virgil van Dijk at the start of next season.
The young player’s recovery is expected to slow his assimilation into Liverpool’s squad, with the defender likely to arrive unfit for matches after a light pre-season.
