TBR Football can exclusively reveal what Saudi clubs have told Liverpool as Napoli try to sign Darwin Nunez.
Darwin Nunez is set to leave Liverpool this summer after Arne Slot made it clear to Nunez that he is not part of his long-term plans.
Saudi Pro League clubs have been after him, with Al-Hilal even making a £71m bid for Nunez in January. But Liverpool refused to sell him then.
Napoli have now also registered their interest in Nunez but Saudi clubs remain strongly keen.
Darwin Nunez during match between Liverpool vs Chelsea
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Saudi Pro League ready to pay big for Darwin Nunez
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Liverpool have made it clear to Napoli that they want to recoup at least £70million from the sale of Darwin Nunez.
The Reds have already held talks with the Saudi Pro League about Nunez and they indicated that they would be prepared to pay a substantial fee for the Uruguayan.
The Merseyside club paid £86m for the Uruguayan and while things have not quite worked out for him as he would have hoped, Liverpool are hoping to sell him for as little loss as possible, valuing him close to the fee Al-Hilal offered in January.
There is interest from other clubs as well, including Juventus, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid but Napoli have pushed ahead with their interest this week.
Darwin Nunez would prefer a move to Napoli over Saudi Pro League
While Nunez is not against the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia, his priority is to stay in Europe.
TBR Football understands that Nunez has spoken with Napoli boss Antonio Conte, and his plans for him have appealed to the extent that a move to the Italian champions is now seen as his priority.
The player’s representatives have been in contact with the Italian champions, and they believe personal terms will not be an issue; however, TBR Football are told that there is a major gap in the two clubs’ valuation of the player.
The Italian club are still working on selling Victor Osimhen, who is their club record purchase and are reluctant to spend more than £55-60million for Nunez, but as per sources, Liverpool are insisting on getting £70million for the 26-year-old.
Talks are set to continue over the coming days, but both clubs are looking to make an agreement.