Darwin Núñez is already being tipped for a stunning Premier League comeback — barely a year after waving goodbye to Liverpool.
After helping Arne Slot’s Liverpool secure a historic league title, Núñez made a surprise move to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al Hilal in a £46 million transfer that shocked supporters across Europe. And although he made an impressive start in Riyadh — scoring four goals and supplying two assists in just eight matches — speculation is rapidly building that the Uruguayan’s stay in Saudi Arabia may be shorter than expected.
The 25-year-old is contracted to Al Hilal until 2028, but rumours of a dramatic return to English football are spreading quickly. And now, a Premier League legend has added even more intrigue to the situation.
World Cup champion and Chelsea great Marcel Desailly has publicly claimed that Núñez would be the perfect No.9 for his former club. Despite Chelsea investing in João Pedro, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu and Tyrique George, Desailly insists that none of them fit the mould the Blues have been searching for.
“Núñez was ideal — absolutely spot on,” Desailly told OLGB. “He was unlucky at Liverpool, but they signed him because they believed in his huge potential. Under Maresca, with confidence behind him, he would have been amazing for Chelsea. If things aren’t clicking for him in Saudi, he could definitely be the one to return.”
Núñez joined Liverpool in 2022 for £64 million amid massive expectations, but he never fully evolved into the prolific striker fans hoped for. His best Premier League haul was 11 goals in the 2023/24 season, dropping to just five the following year before Liverpool sold him to finance their moves for Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Al Hilal currently sit third in the Saudi Pro League with 17 points from seven matches — four behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr — yet the focus remains on whether Núñez’s adventure in the Middle East is already losing its shine.
Could a Premier League return really be on the horizon? Is the Darwin Núñez redemption arc about to begin?
