Darwin Nunez is set to become a free agent this summer with his contract at Saudi giants Al Hilal expected to be terminated, according to beIN Sports.
The Uruguay striker departed Liverpool last summer in a transfer worth around €53m (£46.2m) plus bonuses after winning the Premier League under Arne Slot, but the move to the Middle East has not worked out as initially expected.
Nunez scored nine goals in 24 games, but was sidelined from the squad following the January transfer window, after Al Hilal completed a deal to sign France legend Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad in a blockbuster deal. Registration rules meant that only one player could be part of the league squad, and despite arriving for big money, Nunez was the man they chose to put on the shelf.
Nunez Set to Become Free Agent
darwin nunez
Reports now claim that Nunez and Al Hilal have agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent, making the 26-year-old a free agent for the summer transfer window, while he prepares to travel to the World Cup for his country.
Upon signing in Saudi, Nunez penned a three-year contract worth around £375,000-a-week before bonuses. That means that since signing 40 weeks ago, the former Benfica star has earned a staggering £15m during his time at the club.
With his contract expected to be terminated, a return to Europe now looks likely, although he will almost certainly be forced to take a major pay cut in order to return, with clubs highly unlikely to be willing to match that wage.
Newcastle United have been linked with a move to bring him back to the Premier League as they seek reinforcements for their forward line, while clubs in other top European leagues could be interested, considering there is no transfer fee attached.
Darwin Nunez Has Plenty to Offer
darwin nunez al hilal
Nunez is still in the prime years of his career and has proven that he is capable of scoring goals wherever he goes, and with Marcelo Bielsa likely to call him up as part of the Uruguay squad for the World Cup, he has a chance to put himself in the shop window.
With great pace, a good aerial threat and the ability to score with either foot, there are several clubs who could do with a player like Nunez in their squad. On a free transfer, it could be a shrewd bit of business for a number of sides during the upcoming window.
darwin nunez liverpool Related
Liverpool Flop Darwin Nunez Tipped for Premier League Return as Transfer Deal Made
The Uruguayan has been linked with two huge European clubs ahead of this summer.