Darwin Nunez looked set to swap Anfield for Naples this summer. Talks between Liverpool and Napoli had been moving along nicely.
The striker had even given the green light for a move. But as often happens in football, things took a sharp turn.
Napoli have now walked away from the deal. And just like one of Nunez’s wayward finishes last season, this transfer is off-target.
Liverpool had been clear on their price tag from the start. They rejected a £47.5 million bid from Napoli and wanted something closer to £60 million.
But that number proved too much for the Serie A side. Instead, Napoli are now chasing a cheaper option — Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese, reportedly for around £30 million.
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Why Liverpool wanted to sell Darwin Nunez?
Italian media and Sky Sports both report that Napoli have “abandoned” their pursuit of Nunez. One source even said the club had “reduced contact” with Liverpool as they close in on Lucca.
This comes despite earlier optimism. Napoli were seen as front-runners to sign the 26-year-old, and some reports even suggested add-ons could push their final offer closer to Liverpool’s asking price.
But with Victor Osimhen expected to leave soon, Napoli now seems to be prioritising quick and cheaper business.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are stuck in a holding pattern. They know selling Nunez could fund a new striker, with names like Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak being thrown around. But without a deal, those moves remain on hold.
One source said, “Talks were ongoing,” but things have clearly cooled off.
Nunez is back in training with Liverpool. However, after starting just one of the final 19 matches last season under Arne Slot, his future at the club still feels uncertain.
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