Darwin Nunez seems certain to leave Liverpool this summer, three years on from his big-money transfer to the Reds from Benfica.
Nunez tallied double figures for goals in each of his first two seasons at Liverpool, but netted just seven times during the 2024-25 campaign and fell down the pecking order under new Reds head coach Arne Slot.
The Reds knocked back approaches for Nunez from clubs in Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window, but there remains a strong market for the Uruguay international during the ongoing summer window. Saudi clubs are once more monitoring the situation, but there is also said to be interest from Napoli and Atletico Madrid.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has given an update on Napoli's interest in Nunez, saying that concrete talks have been taking place ahead of a possible move.
"We are keeping the names that have been mentioned in recent days regarding Napoli's attack," Romano said, as quoted by Tutto Napoli. "I told you about Darwin Nunez, who has moved from phone calls to serious, direct and concrete contacts.
"Napoli is working on the Darwin Nunez operation, but it is not an easy operation. There is competition from other clubs, including some from Saudi Arabia.
"We will understand more in the next few days, but it is a move that the Azzurri certainly want to try to make.
"There have also been calls from AC Milan to be informed about the situation, but the Italian club that is working hard on the Uruguayan striker - also with the player's agents - is Napoli.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
"Now we will have to understand if it will be feasible from an economic and competition point of view, but the certainty is that Darwin Nunez will leave Liverpool."
Another well-respected journalist known for his inside transfer knowledge, David Ornstein, said earlier this month that Nunez was likely to leave Liverpool, and he also mentioned some possible players the Reds could target to replace him.
"The future of Darwin Nunez has been well-documented," Ornstein said on The Athletic FC Podcast. "There's an opportunity for him to leave. I think the expectation is that he will be sold and, therefore, we could see somebody come in in that position.
"I think Liverpool are among those, understandably, that have liked Alexander Isak.
"There's admiration for somebody like Hugo Ekitike. And decisions will have to be made, and I'm sure that's something Liverpool are thinking about, and will have multiple options, no doubt, if and when that situation develops.”