Liverpool first-team regular now set to leave on LOAN

Darwin Nunez’s time at Anfield is coming to a close.

The Uruguayan has only managed seven goals and seven assists in 43 appearances for Arne Slot’s league title winning side.

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An exit has been on the cards for a while but now seems almost certain as teams around Europe and from further afield start to plan their summer transfers.

A bid of around £70 million from Saudi Arabia was rejected for the 25-year-old in January, as exclusively revealed by Anfield Watch, and that interest reportedly remains.

Now it is starting to become clear exactly what it will take to get Nunez out of Anfield this summer.

Liverpool’s Nunez demands revealed

According to recent reports from Spanish outlets AS and Fichajes, Liverpool will allow their no.9 to leave on loan this summer, as long as an option to buy is included in the deal.

Both reports state the Reds are hoping to raise up to €45 million from the sale, and that the option to buy could turn into an obligation if certain conditions are met.

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Atletico Madrid are named as an interested party by both outlets, and this confirms previous reports that the Spanish side are keen on adding Nunez to their ranks.

Only recouping €45 million for Nunez would not only represent a big loss on the €85m Liverpool paid in 2022 but also a big loss on the £70m (€82m) they rejected in January.

Why are Liverpool moving on from Nunez?

Seven goals in 43 appearances is simply not a good enough return from one of the world’s most expensive strikers.

It marks Nunez’s worst season as a Liverpool player, and this season has also seen the Uruguayan be left out of the starting XI more often than not.

2024/25 has summed up the striker’s fall from grace since he scored 34 goals in 41 games in his final season in Portugal.

Although Slot’s side have currently outscored all of their Premier League competitors by at least 10 goals, Nunez’s contribution has been minimal with only five league goals.

Six Liverpool players have either equalled or beaten Darwin’s tally, and these stats offer the simplest explanation as to why Richard Hughes has decided to move on from Nunez.

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A loan move could leave the door open for an Anfield return, but the hierarchy at Anfield will be keen to recoup as much of the fee they paid for Nunez as possible so an obligation to buy seems highly likely, meaning Nunez’s career at Liverpool is coming to an end.