Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, two of the most influential figures behind Liverpool's transfer policy, will continue in their roles throughout the upcoming summer transfer period, despite ongoing speculation about their long‑term futures. Their continued presence comes at a pivotal moment for the club, which is seeking to regroup after an underwhelming defence of the Premier League crown and amid lingering uncertainty surrounding the tenure of manager Arne Slot. Edwards originally recruited Hughes to Anfield from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024, assigning him the duties of sporting director as Edwards himself returned to Liverpool to serve as Fenway Sports Group's head of football.
Both executives are bound by contracts that run until 2027, and the club appears intent on keeping them in place for what promises to be a decisive transfer campaign. The backdrop to this decision is a season that has not lived up to the lofty expectations set by a record‑breaking spending spree of nearly £500 million in the previous transfer window.
Critics have pointed to that massive outlay as a factor in Liverpool's regression this term, yet the ownership and senior management have publicly expressed confidence in the work of Hughes and Edwards. Their task now is to address several pressing priorities: finding a suitable successor for Mohamed Salah, maximizing the impact of high‑profile acquisitions such as Alexander Isak (costing roughly £125m) and Florian Wirtz (£116.5m), and re‑balancing the squad after a wave of departures. Since the summer of 2024, Hughes and Edwards have overseen a cumulative spend of about £459m, the bulk of which was incurred in the 2024‑25 window.
That period saw the arrivals of Isak, Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and defender Giovanni Leoni. To offset the outgoings, the duo have also generated roughly £290m in transfer income by moving on players such as Luis Díaz, Darwin Nuñez, Ben Gannon-Doak, Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher and long‑serving right‑back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The club’s transfer narrative is further complicated by external rumours. Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal has been linked with Hughes, prompting questions about whether he might be tempted by a lucrative offer abroad.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Fenway Sports Group has paused plans to create a multi‑club ownership model, a development that could destabilise Edwards' position, given that he cited the prospect of overseeing additional clubs as a major factor in his decision to join Liverpool in March 2024. Both executives were instrumental in the appointment of Dutch manager Arne Slot, who replaced the legendary Jurgen Klopp. Slot delivered an immediate impact, guiding Liverpool to the league title in his first season—a triumph that cemented his reputation and justified the confidence placed in him by Hughes and Edwards. However, the subsequent shift in transfer strategy, moving from a modest summer acquisition of Federico Chiesa for just £12.5m to a record‑breaking £446.5m spend the following year, has not yielded the expected silverware, leaving the club trophy‑free as the campaign draws to a close.
Liverpool now find themselves fighting for a place in next season's Champions League, currently occupying the fifth spot with six matches remaining, while Chelsea sits just four points behind in sixth. The pressure to secure European qualification adds urgency to the summer market, where the club must decide whether to retain its current core, supplement it with additional talent, or consider a strategic overhaul.
Below is a concise recap of the major signings made under Hughes and Edwards since the summer of 2024: 1. Federico Chiesa – arrived from Juventus for £12.5m.
2. Milos Kerkez – secured from Bournemouth for £40m.
3. Jeremie Frimpong – transferred from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5m. 4.
Giorgi Mamardashvili – joined from Valencia for £29m. 5.
Florian Wirtz – signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116.5m. 6. Hugo Ekitike – acquired from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m.
7. Giovanni Leoni – bought from Parma for £26m. 8.
Alexander Isak – completed from Newcastle for £125m. Looking ahead, the summer window will likely focus on several key objectives. First, the club must identify a world‑class forward who can shoulder the creative and scoring responsibilities traditionally shouldered by Salah.
Potential targets could include proven Premier League strikers or emerging talents from top European leagues, each evaluated against Liverpool's financial constraints and the need for squad harmony. Second, the performance of the costly signings—particularly Isak and Wirtz—will be scrutinised, with the coaching staff aiming to integrate them fully into the tactical system devised by Slot. Third, the balance between incoming and outgoing players will remain a priority; the club may look to capitalise on the market value of players who have underperformed or no longer fit the manager's vision, thereby recouping funds for further reinforcements.
In summary, despite external speculation and the shadow of a costly yet underwhelming previous transfer window, Liverpool's hierarchy has signalled a clear intention to retain the partnership of Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards through the summer. Their continued stewardship will be pivotal in shaping the squad that will compete for domestic and European success in the 2025‑26 season, while also navigating the financial realities of modern football and the ever‑present allure of rival clubs seeking to poach top executives.