Darwin Nunez arrived at Liverpool in 2022 with sky-high expectations after a sensational season at Benfica. Signed for an initial £64 million that could rise to £85 million with add-ons, he was billed as the club’s long-term solution at striker following Sadio Mané’s departure. Two seasons later, the Uruguayan remains a polarizing figure at Anfield.
While Nunez’s raw athleticism, pressing work rate, and flashes of brilliance have won over some fans, his inconsistency in front of goal has proven costly. He managed just 11 Premier League goals in the 2023/24 season, often spurning high-quality chances in critical moments. The underlying numbers paint a similar picture: his expected goals (xG) tally far outpaced his actual output.
Liverpool’s new leadership group, working with head coach Arne Slot, has made it clear the club is ready to move on from the Nunez experiment. The goal is to bring in a striker who can more reliably produce 20+ goals in a season—something Nunez has yet to do in a top-five European league.
Talks Collapse After Weeks of Negotiations
Napoli had emerged as the most serious suitor for Nunez in recent weeks. Fresh off a turbulent season in Serie A, the reigning champions are preparing to lose Victor Osimhen and had identified Nunez as a high-upside replacement.
However, The Athletic’s Gregg Evans reports that negotiations between the two clubs have now broken down. Napoli were unwilling to meet Liverpool’s asking price, which is believed to be in the range of €65–70 million. The Reds, reluctant to take a major loss on their initial investment, are holding firm—but that stance has pushed Napoli away.
This failed deal leaves both clubs scrambling: Napoli must now find another striker to lead their attack alongside Romelu Lukaku, and Liverpool remain stuck with a player who clearly doesn’t fit the new vision.
Saudi Pro League Clubs Circle
All is not lost for Liverpool, though. Interest from Saudi Arabia remains strong, and the financial pull from the region could prove decisive. Club World Cup participants Al-Hilal are particularly keen on bringing Nunez in, both as a statement signing and as a potential long-term partner to Aleksandar Mitrović – or even a replacement with AC Milan interested.
With Saudi clubs flush with cash and eager to sign European stars in their prime, Liverpool could still recoup a significant fee for Nunez. However, convincing the player to leave Europe at just 25 years old may be a harder sell.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.