Liverpool is likely to sell Darwin Nunez this summer. It is now expecting a formal offer to arrive, having set its price for the Uruguayan.
Arriving for a potential club-record fee three years ago, Nunez has never quite fulfilled his potential at Anfield. A decent return of 40 goals and 26 assists means he does not belong in the conversation with other notorious flops, but he has never truly been able to string together a sustained run of form.
There was optimism that Arne Slot might be able to get the best out of him, but Nunez ultimately looked less dangerous last season than he did under Jurgen Klopp. A parting of the ways now appears to be in everyone's best interests.
Despite failing to hit the heights expected of him, there should still be a healthy market for the 26-year-old. Celebrating his birthday two days ago, he is still only just reaching his peak years.
Liverpool could not gamble on his potential any longer, but it's still painfully apparent that there is an environment out there where Nunez will be able to thrive. He did so at Benfica, and he did plenty of things right at Anfield, but the spotlight just proved too bright.
His finishing, in particular, repeatedly came under the microscope. But even if he will never be the world's most clinical marksman, Nunez still has a highly valuable knack for creating chances for himself.
Napoli has stepped forward as a destination where Nunez can try to rebuild his confidence and form. Persauded to stay by promises of transfer ambition from the board, Antonio Conte has set his sights on the Liverpool man, valuing his physical presence.
Antonio Conte of Napoli celebrates the championship victory at the end of the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy.
Antonio Conte of Napoli celebrates the championship victory at the end of the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Reports of Liverpool's asking price have varied wildly. Two days ago, it was claimed that agreement was edging closer, with the Reds asking for $58 million (£42 million).
However, the latest update has Liverpool holding out for significantly more money. According to the Telegraph, Nunez would be expected to cost around $96 million (£70 million).
That would bring Liverpool remarkably close to recouping its original outlay, a ship which appeared to have sailed when it turned down Saudi overtures in January. It would be an incredible bit of business.
Yet another report, this time from Fabrizio Romano, says that Liverpool's initial request is "in excess of" $76 million (£55 million). That, too, would represent decent work from Richard Hughes.
Seemingly not completely put off by Liverpool's stance (whatever precisely it may be), Napoli is preparing its first official bid. It has identified Nunez as its top choice up front.
Jonathan David has been identified as a potential alternative, but the priority is to complete a deal for Nunez. He would join Romelu Lukaku in the attacking ranks for the Serie A champion.
Meanwhile, Liverpool may well look to the transfer market too in the event that Nunez leaves. While it does not need to sell in order to buy, securing top dollar for Nunez could be useful in the event that a truly world-class option becomes available.
With Florian Wirtz already signed and capable of playing through the middle, there are no guarantees that Liverpool will pursue another forward. But someone like Alexander Isak would also fall into the "game-changer" category.
Time will tell on that front. But the Nunez deal looks to be slowly gathering momentum, with Liverpool moving toward an agreement with which it could be highly satisfied.