Darwin Nunez has been deemed surplus to requirements at Liverpool with Al-Hilal reaching an agreement with the Reds over the striker, and the transfer won't come as a surprise to Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher speaking on The Overlap
Jamie Carragher predicted in December 2024 that Darwin Nunez would leave Liverpool at the end of the season
(Image: The Overlap)
Jamie Carragher had already predicted Darwin Nunez's Liverpool spell would likely come to an end this summer. The forward, who became the Reds' third-highest signing in 2022 with a fee of £64million plus add-ons, has failed to meet expectations during his stint on Merseyside.
His inconsistency led Arne Slot to consider permanent offers for him. Last season, he managed only five goals in the Premier League and seven across all competitions, but did end up winning his first league title in Europe.
Following the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, the Premier League champions have been open to allowing Nunez to depart. According to The Athletic, Al-Hilal have now reached an agreement in principle with the Reds for the striker's transfer.
The Saudi Pro League outfit, led by former Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi, is said to have agreed on a fee of £46m plus add-ons for Nunez, who is open to discussing personal terms. This would free up funds for a potential second bid for Alexander Isak, after their initial offer of £110m was turned down by Newcastle.
Many viewed last season as Nunez's last opportunity to establish himself as the club's main striker, but with just four goals by December, Carragher predicted his time on Merseyside wouldn't last much longer, reports the Mirror.
During an episode of The Overlap back in December, Liverpool legend shared his thoughts with Ian Wright about Nunez's unpredictability, an attribute he believes isn't common among the top players in the world. Carragher said: "We said we don't know what he is going to do, so how will the defenders?
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Liverpool's Luis Diaz celebrate with the Premier League trophy
Darwin Nunez won the Premier League last season(Image: PA)
"Nobody ever says that about a good player, do they? I'm not sure he will be here next season, I think Liverpool will move him on."
Arsenal icon Wright chimed in, saying: "I never know what is going to happen with Nunez when he goes through.
"I would've thought for that price we would have seen a lot more from him by now. It is not going to be any different to what he is now."
Liverpool has agreed a deal for Darwin Nunez
Liverpool has agreed a deal for Darwin Nunez to leave for Saudi Arabia
Nunez did have a standout moment last season when he scored two late goals to secure a crucial victory against Brentford, aiding Liverpool's league title pursuit.
However, he also faced public criticism from Slot who questioned the striker's attitude after missing a golden opportunity in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. Slot confessed that it wasn't Nunez's missed chance that upset him, but rather his lack of effort afterwards, a critique he levelled at him twice last season.
"First of all, I helped him by saying you can miss a chance," Slot said. "I wasn't only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn't happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa.
Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao
Arne Slot could go back in for Alexander Isak with the impending exit of Nunez
"I always try to be honest with my players and be honest as I can to you guys as well where I always try to protect my players so I don't say he never worked hard. I know him differently. I know him at Villa at home where he made a 100 metre sprint and scored a goal.
"I know him when he came on at City at home and was pressing really aggressively and wins the ball back and we score. But I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once but twice was a bit too much. That's why I addressed it."
Should Nunez secure a move to Saudi Arabia, his departure would leave Slot with only Hugo Ekitike as the club's sole recognised striker, while the likes of Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa could deputise in the number nine role when need be.