Arsenal legend Ian Wright highlights Liverpool's 2022 purchase of Darwin Nunez as proof of how difficult it is to recruit a striker
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has said that a Liverpool transfer is 'done'
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has said that a Liverpool transfer is 'done'
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has highlighted Liverpool's purchase of Darwin Nunez as proof of how difficult it is to recruit a striker capable of delivering at the top of the Premier League.
And the former England striker also used the difficulties endured by Rasmus Hjolund at Manchester United as further evidence to back up his point as Liverpool and Arsenal continue to assess the market for a centre-forward this summer.
Nunez joined the Reds from Benfica in 2022 for an initial fee of £64m, with add-ons potentially taking the deal up to what would be a club-record fee of £85m. However, the Uruguay international has regressed under Arne Slot and has started just one Premier League game in 2025, which came against rock-bottom Southampton in March.
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Nunez, who has five Premier League goals this term, was the subject of attention from Saudi Pro League clubs in the January transfer window and while the club opted to retain their No.9 while they chased title, a revival of that interest could see the forward move on this summer.
And Wright, who won two FA Cups and the Premier League with the Gunners in 1998, believes the struggles of both Nunez and Hjolund at United as reasons for why purchasing a big-money centre-forward is often fraught with danger.
Wright told Premier League productions: "You look at Hojlund, he had nine goals for Atalanta. The money they paid for him is again, you’re taking a chance on potential.
"Look at Darwin Nunez, exactly, £85 (million), I’m not sure if Arsenal can afford to go in and get it wrong like that.
“You look at it and you say: ‘Yes, we desperately need a striker.’ We need a kind of striker who will come in and score because we can’t do a Hojlund or a Darwin Nunez.'"
Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with a move for a new No.9 in the summer window while Liverpool may also be assessing the marketplace for a striker as they look to strengthen their title-winning squad.