Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has agreed to leave Al-Hilal at the end of the season after being dropped from their squad to accommodate Karim Benzema
Darwin Nunez left Liverpool last summer
Darwin Nunez left Liverpool last summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has agreed to depart Al-Hilal less than 12 months after joining the Saudi Arabian side. Nunez, 26, left Anfield last August for an initial £46million.
That sum marked a substantial loss on the £64m that Liverpool had paid to bring him in from Benfica in the summer of 2022. While Nunez contributed as the Reds clinched the Premier League crown last season, his spell on Merseyside was largely underwhelming.
The Uruguay international netted 40 goals in 143 matches, and when Al-Hilal came knocking, Liverpool took the money. Following an encouraging opening half of the campaign, Nunez was dropped from their squad to make room for January arrival Karim Benzema.
Saudi Pro League regulations stipulate that clubs can only register eight foreign players born before 2003 in their 25-man squads. Nunez was brutally omitted and hasn't featured for Al-Hilal since February.
However, he's now been handed the opportunity to revive his career. According to Uruguayan publication Referi, Nunez has struck an agreement with Al-Hilal to depart at the conclusion of this season.
The 26-year-old is eager for more playing time, particularly having failed to start either of Uruguay's friendlies in March. It's reported that Nunez has maintained a professional attitude following his exclusion and continues to train daily. He collects roughly £400,000-per-week in the Middle East, more than double his salary at Liverpool. Both Chelsea and Juventus have been rumoured to be interested in acquiring Nunez.
Darwin Nunez of Uruguay looks on during the friendly football match between Algeria and Uruguay
Darwin Nunez has been dropped from Al-Hilal's squad for the remainder of the season(Image: Getty Images)
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With six goals and four assists across 16 Saudi Pro League fixtures, he has maintained his goalscoring touch. His most prolific campaign remains his final season with Benfica, netting 34 times in 41 matches and persuading Liverpool to agree a deal potentially worth £85m if he had delivered.
Nunez endured a difficult beginning at Anfield, head-butting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen during his home debut and being shown a straight red card. Swiftly developing a reputation for unpredictability, he failed to secure Jurgen Klopp's unwavering confidence and slipped down the pecking order towards the conclusion of the German's reign.
The same pattern emerged under Arne Slot, who labelled Nunez's work ethic 'unacceptable' last season. He subsequently opted to move on, penning a three-year deal with Al-Hilal.
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