Liverpool have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market this summer, reshaping their squad after a successful campaign that saw them win the Premier League in Arne Slot’s debut season.
The Reds have already secured several high-profile signings.
Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen to bolster creativity in midfield, Hugo Ekitiké joined from Eintracht Frankfurt to add options in attack, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez strengthen the full-back positions.
Ekitike-Liverpool-Bournemouth-Premier-League
Central defender Giovanni Leoni also arrived from Parma, providing further depth at the back.
Yet, despite these reinforcements, Liverpool’s question marks still remain over the striker position.
Alexander Isak has been the top target all summer, but Newcastle’s reluctance to sell has forced the club to explore alternative options.
Door opened for Liverpool to sign new striker
At the same time, Darwin Núñez’s departure to Al-Hilal has left a gap in the squad.
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Darwin Nunez taps the Liverpool badge after scoring in pre-season against Athletic Bilbao.
The Uruguayan, who joined Liverpool for a then-record £85m in 2022 from Benfica, leaves after a mixed spell in England.
Consequently, Liverpool now require a forward who can combine technique, physical presence, and a consistent finishing ability to complement Liverpool’s already dynamic attacking options.
Juventus have made Dusan Vlahović available for transfer, and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the situation.
According to reports, via Sport Witness, the Serie A side are hopeful that either Liverpool or Newcastle United will make a move for the Serbian striker.
Juventus have set a price of €38m (£35m), significantly lower than the €85m (£80m) valuation Vlahović once carried, reflecting both his current position in their squad and financial considerations.
Vlahović earns €12m per year, a wage considered prohibitive for the club as they attempt to balance the books while maintaining competitive strength.
While content in Turin, he has expressed interest in eventually playing in the Premier League, meaning the right proposal could convince him to move.
Comparing Vlahović and Núñez
Vlahović and Núñez share similarities as strikers, but their profiles also reveal key differences that could shape Liverpool’s decision.
Both players possess a natural athleticism and are capable of moments of brilliance that can win games single-handedly. A key similarity is their chaotic nature.
Darwin Nunez Liverpool record (timeless)
Darwin Nunez Liverpool record (timeless)
However, Vlahović has demonstrated a more consistent finishing record, which was often a weakness for Núñez during his time at Anfield.
Last season, he scored ten league goals and provided four assists as Juventus secured fourth place in Serie A and a spot in the Champions League.
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic
He also netted twice in three Club World Cup matches, highlighting his capacity to perform on significant stages.
Dušan Vlahović - 2024/25
Matches Played
Starts
Goals
Assists
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Source: FBref
Núñez’s game, by comparison, is marked by inconsistency.
Over the past three seasons, he scored 34 goals in all competitions for Liverpool but underperformed his expected goals tally by -8.5xG, second-worst in the Premier League behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
His energy and unpredictability made him an intriguing forward, but his low conversion rate ultimately forced Liverpool to look for more dependable options.
The statistical profile reinforces these observations.
According to FBref, Vlahović ranks in the 89th percentile when compared to other strikers in Europe's top five leagues for total shots per 90 (3.49), highlighting his constant threat in front of goal.
He is in the 91st percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (6.38), demonstrating his ability to position himself effectively in dangerous areas.
Dusan Vlahovic goal tallies
While his assists per 90 (0.10) place him in the 80th percentile, this suggests he can contribute to link-up play, although scoring remains his primary strength.
Núñez, by comparison, produced fewer reliable outputs in terms of positioning and finishing, although his energy and unpredictability provided a different type of offensive threat.
Vlahović excels at receiving the ball in central areas or channels, maintaining possession, and then turning or dribbling past defenders.
His strength allows him to act as a focal point for the attack, linking with wingers and midfield runners, a role that complements Liverpool’s system of wide and overlapping play.
By contrast, Núñez often relied on bursts of pace and opportunistic positioning, leaving gaps in Liverpool’s build-up play when he was neutralised by opponents.
Internationally, Vlahović is also already a seasoned presence - he has 36 caps for Serbia, scoring 14 goals.
Financially, the £35m valuation for Vlahović presents a significant contrast with Núñez’s transfer fee of £85m.
Slovenia's Zan Karnicnik in action with Serbia's Dusan Vlahovic
Slovenia's Zan Karnicnik in action with Serbia's Dusan Vlahovic
For Liverpool, acquiring a striker of comparable size and potential at less than half the previous cost represents an opportunity to strengthen without overextending the budget.
The key will be persuading Vlahović that the move is the right step for his career, as he currently enjoys both status and salary at Juventus.
Ultimately, Vlahović could offer Liverpool the best of both worlds: a player with the chaos and unpredictability that Núñez brought, but with greater finishing reliability, technical ability, and positional intelligence.
If integrated effectively alongside wingers like Mohamed Salah and new recruit Florian Wirtz, he could provide the decisive edge in both the Premier League and European competitions that Liverpool need after Núñez’s departure.