Darwin Núñez is moving closer to a Liverpool exit as talks continue with the Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal over a possible £46million move.
An agreement between the clubs is expected to be brokered quickly if Núñez agrees to the transfer which would bring to an end three fitful years at Anfield.
Simeone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal and AC Milan have registered their interest in the Uruguayan but it is the Saudi club which is pressing ahead with matters.
The Uruguayan has scored 25 goals for Liverpool since joining the club in 2022
LIVERPOOL FC/GETTY
Al Hilal are at a training camp in Germany ahead of the new season, they will play TSG Balingen on Wednesday night, and Liverpool are waiting to find out whether Núñez intends to travel to conclude discussions.
Napoli had been looking to sign Núñez, 26, earlier in the transfer window but Liverpool’s asking price was too high for them.
The Merseyside club had originally been seeking around the €70million mark [£60.6million], a figure that was rejected following an approach from Al-Nassr at the end of the January window when priority was given to winning the Premier League.
However, it is likely that for a deal to be finalised the initial figure will be significantly lower at about €53million (£46.1million). Add-ons would top up the fee.
Núñez’s Premier League career at a glance2024-25 Games: 30. Starts: 8. Goals: 52023-24 Games: 36. Starts: 22. Goals: 112022-23 Games: 29. Starts: 19. Goals: 9
Liverpool paid an initial fee of £64million, that could rise to £85million, for Núñez in the summer of 2022, in a transfer that was pushed by former manager Jürgen Klopp after the player had impressed in two Champions League games for Benfica against the club.
Despite his popularity in sections of the fan base, Núñez has not proved a reliable asset. There was hope that Arne Slot could bring the best out of the forward when he was appointed last summer, but Núñez scored just seven goals and by the end of the campaign had been pushed onto the periphery of Liverpool’s plans.
Núñez joined Liverpool from Benfica for a then club-record fee
GETTY
Two of those came away in a late 2-0 win over Brentford back in January which was an important victory in the club’s march to the title and, in many respects, summed up why there remained a fondness for him among supporters.
The departure of Núñez would continue the overhaul of Slot’s squad with Harvey Elliott, who has attracted attention from RB Leipzig, and Federico Chiesa also looking to leave.