A surprise club has emerged in the race to sign Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, and they’re willing to make a massive sale to fund the transfer.
Darwin Núñez, who joined Liverpool from Benfica in the summer of 2022 for €75 million (£64 million), has struggled to live up to expectations, leading to speculation that the club may be open to parting ways with the striker in the upcoming January transfer window. His recent performances have attracted the attention of several clubs, including those from the Saudi Pro League.
Among the interested parties, Al Hilal has emerged as the most eager suitor. The Saudi Arabian side is reportedly keen on bolstering their squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the season. In a bold move to fund the acquisition of Núñez, Al Hilal is even willing to sell star player Neymar Jr., who has struggled with injuries and limited appearances since his move from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023.
Neymar, who has made just two appearances this season and a total of seven since joining Al Hilal, could be sold in order to make room for Núñez. The Uruguayan forward is considered an ideal replacement due to his previous relationship with Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus, who coached Núñez during his time at Benfica. With the Brazilian’s fitness issues, this might be the right time for Al Hilal to cash in on Neymar and bring in a player like Núñez to strengthen their attacking options.
Darwin Núñez’s time at Liverpool has been marked by inconsistency, and his failure to score in Liverpool’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley in the third round has sparked frustration among fans. Despite facing a League Two side, Núñez couldn’t find the back of the net, and it was left to other players—Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns, and summer signing Federico Chiesa—to secure the goals for Liverpool.
Núñez had previously flourished under the guidance of Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus at Benfica, where he scored 32 goals and provided 14 assists in just 66 appearances. This strong connection between Núñez and Jesus has led to increased speculation about a potential transfer to Al Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League club looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Núñez’s struggles at Liverpool have only fueled these rumors, as the striker’s confidence continues to be questioned by fans, while his former manager, who knows his strengths well, might see him as a key addition to Al Hilal’s attack.
