Newcastle United have had a long-standing interest in ex-Liverpool striker Darwin 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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Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has agreed to depart Al-Hilal less than 12 months after joining the Saudi Arabian side, sparking fresh speculation over a return to the Premier League.
Nunez, 26, left Anfield last August for an initial £46million—a fee that represented a substantial loss on the £64m Liverpool paid Benfica in 2022. While the Uruguayan contributed to the Reds’ Premier League title win last season, his time on Merseyside was often defined by inconsistency, netting 40 goals in 143 matches before the club opted to cash in.
His move to the Middle East started brightly, but the arrival of Karim Benzema in January saw Nunez brutally omitted from the squad to comply with Saudi Pro League foreign player regulations. League rules dictate that teams are only allowed to register eight foreign players born before 2003 in their 25-man squads, prompting the club to ruthlessly cut the Uruguayan.
Having not featured since February, Nunez has now reportedly struck an agreement with Al-Hilal to leave at the end of the current campaign. It could see him emerge as a free agent if his contract is terminated.
A long-standing target for Newcastle
The news of Nunez’s availability is certain to catch the eye of Newcastle United. The Magpies have a long history of interest in the forward, dating back to his time at Benfica when they were reportedly ready to break their transfer record to bring him to St James' Park.
Even after his move to Liverpool, Newcastle were consistently linked with "jaw-dropping" raids for the striker, particularly during the 2025 summer window when they missed out on Hugo Ekitike to the Reds. At the time, Nunez was viewed as a high-upside project that Eddie Howe could mould into a focal point for the Newcastle attack.
Newcastle's summer striker hunt
The timing of Nunez’s Al-Hilal exit coincides with a critical summer for Newcastle. Despite the heavy investment in players like Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, the Magpies are still searching for a clinical No. 9 to fill the void left by Alexander Isak's departure to Anfield last year.
While William Osula has come to the fore over the last month with three goals in his last four games, Newcastle are still struggling for consistency at the top end of the pitch, highlighting why Howe is desperate for a striker with "explosive" attributes.
While some analysts believe Nunez's unpredictable nature might clash with Howe’s tactical discipline, his work ethic and ability to run in behind remain highly attractive to the recruitment team at Tyneside.
Competition for the "Maverick"
Newcastle would face competition should they look to make a move for Nunez. Chelsea and Juventus have both been credited with interest in the 26-year-old, who currently earns a staggering £400,000-per-week in Saudi Arabia.
For Newcastle, the decision may come down to finances versus fit. While Nunez has many qualities - and maintained a steady return of six goals and four assists in his limited Saudi appearances - the Magpies are also reportedly keeping tabs on Chelsea’s Liam Delap as a potential alternative.
However, given their historical pursuit of Nunez and the clear need for a new leading man this summer, the "Uruguayan Maverick" remains an attractive proposition if he is willing to accept a drop in wages. He isn't believed to be a serious target at this point, however, even with the obvious Saudi links that could put the Magpies in a strong position.
PIF sold stake in Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal was one of the clubs that were majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), who also own Newcastle. However, in the latest drastic change to its sporting portfolio the PIF last month sold 70 percent of the club to Kingdom Holding Company, the firm run by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman and member of the Saudi royal family.
PIF's involvement has meant Newcastle have been restricted in the past on cashing in on the riches of the Saudi Pro League. Due to sharing direct ownership with a number of clubs, it remains a largely untapped market. UEFA rules ban profit on all associated party player sales.
When asked if UEFA’s rules on associated party player sales effectively block Newcastle from selling players to Saudi Pro League clubs, chief financial officer, Simon Capper said: “It doesn't stop us doing business. What it means is if we make a profit, it doesn't count.
“We sell a player that's worth a pound for £10m and make a profit of £9.999m in the Premier League but make a profit of zero in UEFA. We just don't get a profit. Our competitors can sell a player to a Saudi club for massive profit and bank that for their various compliance calculations.”
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