Arne Slot Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Liverpool 2024-25
Liverpool have got plans to move on from Darwin Nunez this summer. The Uruguayan striker only managed five Premier League goals during their title-winning campaign and has largely fallen out of favour with head coach Arne Slot.
Speculation has been rife over the last few weeks that the 25-year-old will be sold - as long as Richard Hughes’ demands are met. It appears £70m will do the trick for potential suitors although Nunez is being selective about his next destination.
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Al-Hilal have been knocked back by the No9 - with Nunez holding out for a club in one of Europe’s top leagues. It could be AC Milan or Napoli in Italy - and Atletico Madrid have also been reported as suitors.
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And if Darwin leaves, it would leave a gap up top for a new forward. Top of the list is reportedly Victor Osimhen. Transfer talk has increased in recent weeks over the Nigerian - who is coming off a sensational season in the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray.
Liverpool like Victor Osimhen
The 26-year-old scored 37 times in 41 games overall for Cimbom - helping fire them to the league and Turkish Cup double. Napoli still own Osimhen’s playing rights - with the player having spent the season on loan in Turkey.
He is only under contract until 2026 - meaning Osimhen is available for a fraction of his true transfer value this summer. That sum is reported to be €75m - not a million miles off what the Reds are seeking for Nunez.
But the sticking point has always been Osimhen’s salary.
Indeed it’s been previously reported thatthe Super Eagles sensation was seeking £400k per week from his next club. However, there appears to be a thaw in that stance as Osimhen makes sacrifices to land a Premier League move.
© IMAGO
Osimhen salary demands SLASHED
In an item discussing Manchester United’s interest in the former Lille frontman, Foot Mercato claims that Osimhen’s salary requests now stand at €12m per year.
“Talks have resumed very recently under the conditions discussed a few weeks ago, namely a salary of €12 million for the player and compensation of €75 million including bonuses for Napoli, the club that owns the player,” writes Sebastien Denis.
That equates to around £200k per week - HALF of what was previously out there. So if Liverpool can conduct an outbound deal for Nunez - who earns around £140k per week - it means a deal for Osimhen won’t break the bank.
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Indeed there is a tantalising prospect that Hughes could SWAP Osimhen for Nunez in a sensational deal with Napoli. Nonetheless this latest update suggests that Osimhen is no longer out of reach due to his pay packet.