Arsenal have been advised to consider a move for Darwin Nunez amid reports that Liverpool might be open to offloading the striker for a fee of £50million.
The 25-year-old Uruguay international is anticipated to depart Anfield in the coming months following an underwhelming goal return for the newly-minted Premier League champions this season. Nunez has attracted interest from Middle Eastern clubs, notably Al-Nassr, who had a £60m bid rejected in January, and is also on the radar of Italian outfits AC Milan and Napoli.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is now being advised to consider a swoop for Nunez after Arsenal finished runners-up for the third season in a row. Ex-Liverpool forward Dean Saunders has raised the idea, boldly predicting that Nunez could net Arsenal 25 goals next campaign.
Such a goal haul would require a significant upturn in form from Nunez, who managed just seven in all competitions last season. However, the former Wolves and Wrexham boss said that Arsenal would be fortunate to secure Nunez's services, labelling their current transfer targets as "gambles".
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres are reportedly high on Arsenal's wishlist, with the former believed to be the club's preferred choice. Sesko, 22, found the back of the net 21 times last season, with some reports suggesting Leipzig will hold out for a fee of £92.5m to part ways with the Slovenian this summer.
Gyokeres boasted an impressive tally of 54 goals from 52 appearances. But he too looks likely to be a more costly option than Nunez, with Sporting refusing to be coaxed into accepting an offer that's too far from the Swede's £85m release clause.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Saunders said: "Is there any fan out there that would be disappointed if their club was linked with Nunez? He's not got enough goals for Liverpool, but I think we all look at him with the same eyes.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig has a reported agreement to join Arsenal (Image: (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
"I wouldn't be surprised if he went to Arsenal and scored 25 goals. The people they've got lined up, they're all gambles. At least he's played in the Premier League for three or four years, and you know what you're going to get.
"He works his socks off, even if he doesn't score, so he's not a passenger. That's why the Liverpool fans like him."
He added: "He's not hopeless and what surprises you about him is that he's got every finish in his locker. He can go around the keeper, he can shoot from range and he can score headers, but he does seem to find a way of missing sometimes."
Viktor Gyokeres could transform Arsenal this summer if he completes a transfer from Sporting CP
Viktor Gyokeres could transform Arsenal this summer if he completes a transfer from Sporting CP (Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Liverpool are reportedly on the hunt for a new striker this summer, with Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt emerging as a potential target. Meanwhile, a record-breaking £116m move for Florian Wirtz could see the Reds part ways with several players to balance the books.
Nunez is seeking pastures new after being limited to just eight starts in the Premier League under Arne Slot this term. Despite the scant game time, Slot has lauded Nunez for maintaining a commendable attitude.
On the topic of Nunez's current predicament, Slot said: "I don't know exactly what is going to happen. One of the main strengths we had this season is that everybody accepted his role.
"And his role sometimes could be to start every single game, hardly be taken off, sometimes be taken off. It could be sometimes not starting every single game, sometimes not playing hardly [any] minutes."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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