Liverpool news as panic over $80M star and Saudi team 'makes approach'

Liverpool is said to be "panicking" over the fitness of summer signing Jeremy Jacquet, while sporting director Richard Hughes is on a three-man shortlist for Al-Hilal

Arne Slot is still aiming for silverware this season(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool's summer transfer splurge marked an extraordinary shift for the club.

The acquisition of players that cost the Reds around $600 million was largely orchestrated by the club's sporting director, Richard Hughes. Record-breaking fees were shelled out for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni also joined in a significant squad revamp following Arne Slot's Premier League title victory in his debut season.

However, despite the lavish spending, the Reds have been underperforming this season and are now fighting to secure a top-four finish. Actions could be underway that may result in a dramatic change in the club's leadership, impacting Hughes and Slot, and influencing future transfer dealings.

In other news today, Liverpool has expressed concern over the fitness of a promising summer signing. Liverpool.com provides a detailed analysis of the latest headlines...

Sporting director latest

Hughes joined the Reds at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and has played a pivotal role during the Slot era. But in January, rumors began circulating linking the ex-Portsmouth player with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and these have recently resurfaced.

Hughes, who is contracted with the Reds until June 2027, has been rumored to have agreed to join Al-Hilal, according to reports from the Middle East.

Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, could be on the move(Image: Getty Images)

However, The Telegraph has now reported that he is actually on a three-man shortlist for the position of sporting director at the Saudi club. Al-Hilal has not yet approached Liverpool, and it's understood the Merseyside club is confident that he won't be departing.

If Hughes were to agree to join Al-Hilal, he wouldn't commence work until the summer. Despite being undefeated, the Riyadh-based team currently sits second in the league, trailing by three points behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

The club is owned by the country's Public Investment Fund and managed by Simone Inzaghi. Hughes was recruited by Liverpool's chief executive of soccer, Michael Edwards, from a similar role at Bournemouth, where he was responsible for hiring Andoni Iraola.

Concerns arise

Jeremy Jacquet, who is set to become a Liverpool star, has recently undergone surgery following a shoulder fracture last month. However, there is reportedly growing concern within the Merseyside club after learning about the duration of his recovery period.

Liverpool outbid Chelsea for the center-back's signature in January. They struck a £60 million ($80 million) deal with Rennes — £55 million ($73.5 million) paid upfront and an additional £5 million ($6.5 million) due in add-ons.

The seriousness of the injury, sustained in a league match against Lens, necessitated surgery and has effectively ended his tenure at the Ligue 1 side. On March 12, Rennes confirmed via a brief statement that the operation had been successful.

French outlet Sport has proposed that Jacquet is expected to be out of action for eight to 12 weeks. The same article suggested that Liverpool is "panicking" over the severity of Jacquet's injury.

The report claimed that the Reds had "already been envisioning him forming a partnership" with Virgil van Dijk at the commencement of the next campaign. The young player's recovery is anticipated to postpone his integration into the squad, with the defender likely to have a light pre-season and arrive lacking match fitness.