Walter Gargano has revealed that Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is keen on moving to Napoli this summer.
Nunez started his career with Penarol when Gargano was at the club, but the defender also spent the best part of eight years in Naples before that. Speaking on local radio station Radio Kiss Kiss (quotes via Tribal Football), Gargano confirmed that he had spoken to his former teammate:
“The warmth of the Neapolitans would do him a lot of good, I spoke to him about a week ago and I hope he really comes to Naples. I told him; ‘Go to Naples!’ He and his family will decide what to do with his future. He told me; ‘Yes, I’ll come to Naples right away. I’m waiting to close with Naples’.”
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Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Nunez is keen on a move to Italy but a lot still hinges on a transfer fee being agreed.
Liverpool are holding out for £70m
It is believed that the Reds were offered £70m by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal back in January. The proposal was rejected at the time but that figure is seen as a benchmark for negotiations with Napoli.
The Serie A champions are very unlikely to match that figure. Reports in Italy suggest they may only offer half that much – approximately €40m (£34m) to €50m (£43m). The gap between the two teams will be difficult to bridge.
Could Nunez be used in a swap deal?
There have been suggestions that Arne Slot’s side are interested in Victor Osimhen. Some have even claimed that the Merseysiders would be prepared to offer a straight swap with Nunez.
However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is said to be holding out for Osimhen’s €75m (£64m) release clause and he doesn’t value Nunez at the same price.
In other news, Liverpool fans have reacted to reports that the Reds want to sign an Arsenal transfer target