Darwin Núñez’s exit from Liverpool now looks all but guaranteed.
The 26-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations at Anfield, despite leaving with a Premier League winner’s medal. Last season, he managed just seven goals across all competitions, and a series of glaring misses ultimately underlined his struggle to truly settle into life on Merseyside.
Signed in 2022 for a significant £64 million, Núñez departs with 40 goals in 143 matches — a disappointing return compared to his prolific stint at Benfica, where he scored 48 times in only 85 games. The contrast underscores how far short he fell of expectations.
Liverpool have reportedly made it clear that they want to sell him this summer, and the Uruguayan looks set for a new chapter. Napoli have emerged as the frontrunners, with reports suggesting the Serie A club and Liverpool have agreed a €43 million (£36.6m) transfer. Núñez is expected to sign a three-year deal and work under Antonio Conte, who is eager to add him to Napoli’s title-chasing squad.
Although some details still need to be finalized before an official announcement, most indications suggest that the deal is close to completion.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have already moved on to reinvest the funds. New arrivals such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez have strengthened the squad, and manager Arne Slot is still keen to add a proven striker after Núñez failed to convince during his time under both Jürgen Klopp and Slot.
While he had his moments in a red shirt, Núñez’s spell in England looks to be drawing to a close — and a fresh start in Italy may provide him with the opportunity to revive his career.
