Liverpool have decided to call a time on Darwin Nunez’s stay at Anfield with a move agreed to the Saudi Pro League. Nunez is set to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
The Uruguayan striker enjoyed a three-year stint at Liverpool and will now be heading eastwards to embark on a new journey in his professional career. It is understood from reputable sources that Nunez will cost the Saudi Pro League side £56 million.
Sky Sports report that AC Milan were also in the running for the 26 year old forward. However, the Italian giants were unconvinced by the wage demands of Nunez and thereby pulled out of the negotiations.
Liverpool will receive a confirmed transfer fee of £46 million which will eventually make it to £56 million with performance related add-ons. In contrast, the Merseyside team had forked out £64 million when they signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica in 2022.
The Anfield story
Darwin Nunez was a big profile signing for Jurgen Klopp with the eventual deal costing Liverpool £85 million including add-ons. Making the striker one the most expensive signings in the clubs history. The strikers performances have been inconsistent and he has failed to garner the trust of both the managers during his tenure, Klopp and Slot.
In 143 appearances for the Anfield side, Nunez only scored 40 goals. His nervy performances in front of goal complimented with poor temperament put did not allow him to nail down a spot in the starting eleven.
The transfer story
Nunez has been given approval to negotiate personal terms with Al-Hilal. It is understood that the two teams will proceed to formalise the transfer once the formalities of the deal have been completed. The attacker could join Al-Hilal’s training camp in Germany once the deal has materialised.
This should be jubilant times in the Saudi Pro League with another star footballer in their prime set to join their ambitious sports project. Nunez will be arriving for a transfer fee that could well be described as ‘decent’ by the League’s standards.
The departure of Nunez plus the sale of Luis Diaz will now give Arne Slot’s side the license to register an even higher bid for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and after the signings of Florian Wirtz and youngster Will Wright plus a couple of full-backs in Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kirkez the Anfield club are looking primed for a serious title defence.