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Richard Hughes’ relationship with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe could become a key factor in Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak this summer.
The Reds have made their intentions clear after making an approach to the Magpies over a potential move for the striker, following months of speculation. No formal offer has yet been made, although Liverpool has expressed an interest in securing a deal worth $161 million (£120M).
That has been met with a firm stance from Newcastle - as it has throughout the summer - with the St James’ Park club insisting that Isak is not for sale, despite its own pursuit of a new striker.
Newcastle’s attempts to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt provides an intriguing subplot to the whole saga, not least because the Frenchman has also been linked with Liverpool.
A first bid has been rejected by Frankfurt though, with the Bundesliga club believing there are other clubs who have signalled they are willing to pay more for the Ekitike.
That may well give Liverpool more hope that a deal for Isak could still be possible if Newcastle plans to keep pursuing Ekitike, with Hughes’ relationship with Howe potentially giving the Reds an added advantage.
The pair were teammates during their playing career at Bournemouth before Hughes joined the club’s recruitment team under Howe’s management, later going on to be promoted to technical director.
Hughes struck up a good relationship with Howe down on the south coast, lifting the lid on their dynamic on the official Bournemouth podcast back in 2020.
“Fundamentally the key to having good recruitment is good communication from the leader down, and we definitely have that here,” Hughes said (via The Glasgow Times).
“That relationship is fundamental [between manager and technical director]. I’m very lucky that the only two managers I’ve had doing this are two people I’ve known since my teens.
“Understanding them from a human perspective as well as a football perspective is crucial to the job that I do.
“It gave me a head start working under a manager as successful as Eddie too, that helps, because he can make bad decisions look indifferent and decent decisions look great.
“That I think is the key. It’s my belief that the best chance you have of having a successful signing is that the manager is a huge part in that recruitment process.
“The better understanding between the person doing my job and the person coaching the players and picking the team, the better one would assume the chances of success.
“We’ve always tried to do the work early so that we’re not frantically scrambling around for a last-minute medical.
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“Working under Eddie where there’s been a clear remit makes it easier for me not to have five or six players and end up spinning plates.”
Although it’s been nearly five years since the pair worked together, it seems they have remained good friends, with reports back in 2021 suggesting that Howe would only take the Celtic manager’s job if Hughes joined him at the club - Howe would go on to turn down an offer from the Glasgow club.
That relationship may well help Hughes in his attempts to lure Isak to Liverpool. At the very least, with Ekitike also in the mix, it looks like the Reds’ sporting director could be staying in contact with Howe this summer.
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