The assumption heading into the summer was that Liverpool striker Darwin Nuñez was ready to call time on his Merseyside stay, having suffered a regression in year three at the Premier League club under manager Arne Slot.
His departure was considered such a foregone conclusion that it was surprising to see the Reds kick off their pre-season on Sunday against Preston with Nuñez in the squad. A focus on staying in Europe and a failure by Atletico Madrid and—so far at least—Napoli to meet Liverpool’s asking price means he’s still with the Reds.
Now, though, Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal may be preparing a push to convince Nuñez, with local reports suggesting they have made contact with the player and Liverpool. Rather intriguingly, they also speak of a supposed €60M AC Milan bid this summer.
Napoli’s interest has been well documented in Italy, as had been Atleti’s in Spain earlier in the summer. If Milan are not only interested but have made a formal offer—one in excess of the €55M Napoli are rumoured to be willing to pay—that’s news.
In January, it was Saudi side Al-Nassr trying to sign Nuñez. And at the time, it appeared the main stumbling block was Liverpool’s unwillingness to sell without a replacement lined up rather than any particular hesitance on Nuñez’ part.
Reports this summer have pointed to a player who at 26 years of age is prioritizing staying in a top European league, though, so it’s hard to say which way this story might move. It will also be interesting to see whether that suggestion of a Milan bid might lead to anything—assuming, of course, that Milan actually made one.