Saudi media reports have claimed that Al Hilal have suspended negotiations with Scottish executive Richard Hughes, the current sporting director of Liverpool, over taking the same role at the Riyadh club next season.
According to the reports, the decision came after Hughes requested to perform his duties remotely while making limited visits to Riyadh, an arrangement that does not match Al Hilal’s administrative vision for the coming period.
Al Hilal have been looking for a foreign sporting director to lead football planning and recruitment as the club seeks to reshape its football structure ahead of the new season.
The situation remains under review, with the club reportedly studying alternative options in case an agreement with Hughes cannot be completed.
No final official announcement has been issued by Al Hilal to close the file completely, so the most accurate wording remains that talks have been suspended rather than definitively ended.