🔄 What’s Changed at Liverpool?
- A dip in form: Núñez struggled in the 2024–25 season, scoring just 5 Premier League goals in 30 games and making only 17 starts in all competitions. He was left out of Liverpool’s last 11 matches.(Sportscasting | Pure Sports, The Guardian)
- Not central to Slot’s plans: Under new manager Arne Slot, Núñez was often on the fringes. Critics say despite his pace and work rate, his finishing let him down, and he hasn’t developed as expected.(SportsCafe.in)
💼 Transfer Timeline & Negotiations
🔹 Al-Nassr (January)
- In January, Saudi’s Al-Nassr made offers reportedly as high as €85 m, which Liverpool declined mid-season due to a lack of replacement and desire not to disrupt their title push. Núñez reportedly favored a move but eventually stayed.(Tribuna.com)
🔹 Napoli Talks (May–June)
- Napoli expressed serious interest: initial contact escalated to concrete offers in the €42–43 m range. But Liverpool held firm on their valuation (~€50–60 m), and the deal stalled. Napoli later abandoned pursuit for Lorenzo Lucca.(Football Transfers)
🔹 Current: Saudi Clubs & Other Interested Parties
- With Napoli out, the Saudi clubs have returned. Al-Hilal is now in advanced talks, with a deal rumored at €70–75 m. Núñez had previously rejected their offer as he preferred to stay in Europe, but with few continental options left, Saudi Arabia is now a “serious option.”(This Is Anfield, SportsCafe.in, Sportscasting | Pure Sports)
- AC Milan, Barcelona, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest have also been monitoring, but none have made formal bids commensurate with Liverpool’s asking price. Interest from Newcastle and Forest was noted in spring.(Sports Mole, CaughtOffside, FourFourTwo)
- Atletico Madrid explicitly ruled themselves out of the race.(empireofthekop.com)
⚽ Why the Move Matters
- Finances for Liverpool: Sales of Núñez and Luis Díaz (joining Bayern for ~£65 m) would help fund major incoming targets like Alexander Isak and preserve compliance with Premier League profit regulations. Spurs, Isak, and Ekitike are among players linked to new deals.(TalkSport)
- Playing fit and legacy: Liverpool once invested heavily—up to €85 m – in Núñez. But compared to targets like Isak, his inconsistency is now viewed as a liability. Still, many believe he could flourish in other leagues, especially where tactical systems better suit his attributes.(thesun.ie, Reddit, This Is Anfield, SportsCafe.in)
📋 Summary Table
| Segment | Status / Details |
|---|---|
| Liverpool & Player | Form issues and tactical dissonance under Arne Slot |
| Napoli | Initial overtures in May–June; deal collapsed over price disputes |
| Saudi Clubs | Al‑Hilal now front‑runner with renewed €70–75 m interest |
| Other Clubs | Barcelona, Milan, Newcastle, Nottingham monitored but no formal bids |
| Transfer Fee Range | Liverpool reportedly seeking €60–70 m to recoup value |
| Impact for LFC | Funding major signings and managing profit regulations |
✅ Final Verdict
On July 28, 2025, the narrative is clear: Liverpool are likely to sell Darwin Núñez this summer. With Napoli out of the race, his most probable destination is Saudi Arabia, particularly Al-Hilal, who could match Liverpool’s fee expectations. European suitors remain interested, but without a firm proposal at top valuation, Liverpool seems set to look east.
Let me know if you’d like to explore who might replace him or how this fits into Liverpool’s broader transfer strategy!
