Liverpool are still in discussions with Al-Hilal over the sale of Darwin Nunez but it does not seem likely they will receive the fee they have been hoping for.
Signed in 2022 for £64m – which could have reached £85m with add-ons – Nunez has simply failed to live up to the hype that he brought with him to Liverpool from Portugal.
40 goals and 26 assists in 140 games is not a terrible return. For reference, Luis Diaz joined the club six months before Nunez and leaves Anfield with 41 goals and 23 assists – two goal contrubitions fewer than Nunez.
Yet, Diaz was signed for just £37m and offered a lot more than just goals and assists. It’s a pity that Nunez has not been able to make it work but it’s best for all parties that Liverpool find a new club for the Uruguayan.
It has not been that simple, however, with Liverpool finding it difficult to find a club willing to meet their £52m asking price.
Nunez and Al Hilal remain in talks to find an agreement over Darwin Nunez
Liverpool remain keen on selling Darwin Nunez permanently although talk of a loan has been floated with the bottomline being that Arne Slot obviously doesn’t want the former Benfica star in his squad for next season.
The Merseysiders remain hopeful of signing Alexander Isak to replace Nunez but first, they need to move the player on.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Darwin Nunez remains in contact with Al Hilal with “talks set to continue”.
Romano said: “Discussions between Al Hilal and Darwin Nunez’s camp are still ongoing as Liverpool remain open to permanent sale.
“Talks to continue in the next days but Darwin still high on Al Hilal’s list.”
Post Diaz and Nunez Liverpool looks scary
If Arne Slot gets his wish and Liverpool sign Alexander Isak, the attackers at his disposal will make the Premier League Champions quite terrifying for opposition sides.
Hugo Ekitike, Isak, Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz all combining at Anfield sounds like a deluded supporter’s FIFA career mode simulation – not reality.
And yet, the chances of Isak joining Liverpool seem higher than him staying at Newcastle although time will tell.