Liverpool look to Saudi Arabia for £60m striker deal

It’s no secret that Liverpool are prepared to listen to offers for Darwin Nunez this summer. The Uruguayan striker has found himself out of favour under Arne Slot - making just one Premier League start in 2025 under the Dutchman.

He managed only FIVE top-flight goals overall last season for the Reds - leading to speculation that his departure is all but inevitable.

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Having joined the club from Benfica in 2022 for a club-record fee, it’s not been a vintage spell for the 25-year-old - although he leaves a Premier League champion.

READ MORE: Journalist hints at SEISMIC Liverpool transfer in the works

Liverpool agreed to sell Darwin to Saudi club Al-Hilal earlier this summer but saw the move rejected by the player.

Darwin rejects Saudi deal

Although the Saudi Pro League side can offer Darwin a blank cheque, he is reportedly not keen to see his future played out in Asia. Instead, the player favours a deal with a European club befitting his talent.

In Italy, Napoli are leading the chase and Atletico Madrid from Spain are also keen. Both have endeavoured to add Nunez to the ranks during the current transfer period but have so far fallen short of Liverpool’s expectations.

“Napoli and Atletico Madrid want to agree loan-to-buy deals for Nunez,” reads a report in Football Insider.

Neither club values Nunez at what Liverpool require - said to be around £60m - and that is why the Merseysiders are holding out for a Saudi deal.

“Both clubs could insert a buy option or obligation worth around £40million – but Liverpool feel there is more value in Saudi Arabia,” the report continues.

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Nunez is under contract until 2028 and so Liverpool hold the cards in any prospective move that will see him leave the club. The Reds are probably willing to negotiate - in order to achieve some income off the deal that can be then spent on a replacement.

It would also be a relief to see the player’s reported £140k per week salary off the books.

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This one is at a stalemate. Darwin wants Napoli or Atletico but they haven’t yet stumped up the cash. Liverpool would prefer he accepts a move to Saudi Arabia but Darwin isn’t yet ready to compromise.

Let’s see how it plays out.