Darwin's partner explores Saudi option
That was because of a lack of viable replacements in the winter market as well as a desire to land a significant transfer fee. But the Saudi interest has not gone away and it is widely expected that Saudi Pro League clubs will be back for Darwin in summer.
And it now appears that a parting of the ways looks inevitable with significant figures inside Darwin’s camp now agitating for a move away from Merseyside.
Lorena Mañas, Darwin’s partner, has been working on securing a transfer away from the club, according to Duncan Castles of The Transfers Podcast.
Darwin is one of several European-based stars on the Saudi hitlist this summer, and if any interested party reaches Liverpool’s desired fee then he will be on his way.
“Three individuals I've been told who are on their striker target list are Victor Boniface at Bayer Leverkusen, the link to Xabi Alonso there, Darwin Nunez at Liverpool, and Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting,” he told The Transfers Podcast.
“Liverpool would be happy if the Saudis came in and encourage a move for Darwin Nunez. They would like to get some kind of significant return on the initial €75 million that they paid Benfica three years ago.
“Nunez, as we know, struggled in the Premier League this season, five goals in 23 games, contracted until 2028.
“But I think from the Saudi perspective, he still has that ability to be a name within the Saudi game and to deliver goals with his physicality.
“Interestingly, I'm told that his girlfriend, Lorena Mañas, who is the ex-wife of Barcelona player Aleix Vidal, has been working with agents to explore opportunities elsewhere.
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“So it looks like this is both sides pushing against the same door: Nunez, or at least Nunez's partner, encouraging him to look for a move, and Liverpool happy to sell the player, and a strong, affluent potential buyer in Saudi Arabia."