Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has agreed to leave Al-Hilal at the end of the season, with the Uruguayan potentially becoming a free agent as Newcastle United consider their options
Ross Gregory Head of North East Sport
13:29, 07 May 2026Updated 13:29, 07 May 2026
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)
Former Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has agreed to leave Al-Hilal less than a year after joining the Saudi Arabian club, reigniting rumours of a potential return to the Premier League.
Nunez, 26, departed Anfield last August for an initial £46m/$63M —a fee that marked a considerable loss on what Liverpool paid Benfica in 2022. While the Uruguayan played a part in the Reds' Premier League title triumph last season, his spell on Merseyside was frequently characterised by inconsistency, scoring 40 goals in 143 appearances before the club decided to cash in.
His switch to the Middle East began promisingly, but the arrival of Karim Benzema in January saw Nunez ruthlessly dropped from the squad to meet Saudi Pro League foreign player restrictions. League regulations stipulate that teams can only register eight foreign players born before 2003 in their 25-man squads, forcing the club to ruthlessly axe the Uruguayan.
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Having not appeared since February, Nunez has now reportedly reached an agreement with Al-Hilal to depart at the end of the current season. It could see him become a free agent if his contract is terminated, reports the Chronicle.
The news of Nunez's availability is certain to pique the interest of Newcastle United. The Magpies have a longstanding history of interest in the forward, stretching back to his time at Benfica when they were reportedly prepared to smash their transfer record to bring him to St James' Park.
Even following his switch to Liverpool, Newcastle were regularly linked with "jaw-dropping" raids for the striker, especially during the 2025 summer transfer window when they lost out on Hugo Ekitike to the Reds. At that point, Nunez was seen as a high-potential prospect that Eddie Howe could develop into a key figure for the Newcastle attack.
The timing of Nunez's departure from Al-Hilal comes at a crucial juncture for Newcastle. Despite significant investment in players such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, the Magpies are still on the lookout for a prolific No. 9 to replace the gap left by Alexander Isak's move to Anfield last year.
While William Osula has emerged over the past month with three goals in his last four matches, Newcastle continue to lack consistency in the final third, underlining why Howe is keen on a striker with "explosive" attributes.
Darwin Nunez during his time at Liverpool
Darwin Nunez during his time at Liverpool(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)
While some observers suggest Nunez's unpredictable style might conflict with Howe's tactical approach, his work rate and ability to exploit space in behind remain highly appealing to the recruitment staff at Tyneside.
Newcastle would encounter competition should they pursue a move for Nunez. Chelsea and Juventus have both been reported to have interest in the 26 year old, who currently pockets a remarkable salary in Saudi Arabia. For Newcastle, the choice may boil down to finances versus suitability. While Nunez possesses numerous qualities - and recorded a respectable tally of six goals and four assists during his brief spell in Saudi Arabia - the Magpies are also said to be monitoring Chelsea's Liam Delap as a possible alternative.
Nevertheless, given their long-standing interest in Nunez and the evident requirement for a new striker this summer, the "Uruguayan Maverick" remains an appealing option if he is prepared to accept reduced wages. He isn't thought to be a serious target at this stage, though, even with the obvious Saudi connections that could place the Magpies in a favourable position.
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Al-Hilal was amongst the clubs that were majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), who also own Newcastle. However, in the latest significant shift to its sporting portfolio, the PIF last month offloaded 70 per cent of the club to Kingdom Holding Company, the firm managed by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman and member of the Saudi royal family.
PIF's involvement has meant Newcastle have been limited in the past when it comes to capitalising on the wealth of the Saudi Pro League. Due to sharing direct ownership with several clubs, it remains a largely unexploited market.