Darwin Nunez can now play a maximum of five more games for Al-Hilal this season, with the striker axed from their squad for the Saudi Pro League.
It was announced on Thursday that Nunez was among those deregistered from Al-Hilal’s list of foreign players for the Saudi Pro League after the winter transfer window.
Darwin Nunez: Liverpool to Al-Hilal Transfer Details
Transfer Fee £46 million
Add-Ons £10.4 million
Contract Expiry 2028
Clubs Linked Fenerbahce, River Plate
Transfer Note: Liverpool stand to lose out on the majority of the agreed £10.4m in add-ons if Nunez fails to meet performance targets at Al-Hilal or joins a new club.
The 26-year-old has been removed to make room for Karim Benzema, who swapped Al-Ittihad for their rivals in a controversial move earlier this month.
Nunez is still eligible for the AFC Champions League but with only one league phase game remaining along with up to four knockout ties, it is clear his game time will be limited.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez applauds the supporters as he is substituted during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Al-Hilal are already qualified for the last 16 ahead of their league phase closer against Al Wahda on Monday evening, with the knockout stages beginning in March.
Having only joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool in August, in a deal worth an initial £46 million to the Premier League side, the writing is seemingly on the wall for Nunez.
His situation is eerily similar to that of Roberto Firmino during his time at Al-Ahli, with the Brazilian cut from their Saudi Pro League squad this time last year.
Firmino went on to captain Al-Ahli throughout the AFC Champions League and lifted the trophy after assisting both goals in a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the final.
Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick on his Al Ahli debut (STR/AP).
But ineligible for the second half of the league campaign he only made seven appearances from February onwards and went on to join Qatari side Al-Sadd last summer.
Speaking after Al-Ahli’s triumph in the final, Firmino said: “There are no words to express what I feel inside my heart.
“I passed through a desert here, they took me out of the league and of course left me in the Champions League.
“I don’t give up, I never give up, because I know who brought me here – and I want to bring back all of the glory to God.
“He knew what plans he had for us. It’s a pleasure to be part of this big club.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 5, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Darwin Núñez on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The same fate could befall Nunez who clearly does not figure prominently in Simone Inzaghi’s plans following the shock signing of Benzema.
Nunez was touted with a move to Fenerbahce at the end of the Turkish transfer window, with claims of a bid accepted, but no transfer developed and the deadline has now passed for Super Lig clubs.
If he were to leave before the summer, the Uruguayan would now have few options to consider, though the clubs in Argentina are still able to sign players from abroad if they sell or loan another and River Plate have been linked.