THE FUSE

According to the report, Al-Hilal have been operating on the basis that Hughes will eventually join their project in Riyadh. The sporting director was identified as a primary target earlier this spring, and while he has not yet officially signed a contract with the Saudi club, the wheels are firmly in motion for a departure. This would effectively make the current summer window his final act at Anfield, allowing for a managed period of transition as Fenway Sports Group (FSG) begins the search for a successor to lead their football operations.