Napoli hold the key to unlocking Liverpool's Darwin Nunez dilemma

Regardless of what other transfer business Liverpool conduct this summer, Darwin Nunez needs to leave before the next season rolls around.

The Uruguayan has laid his cards out on the table throughout this campaign. His goal returns have dried up and his attitude has been brought into question - which used to be one of his main positives.

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Anfield Watch reported during the January transfer window that the Saudi clubs were heavily interested in a move, although the bid was deemed to be insufficient and he was to be held onto until the summer.

But now we are on the precipice of the transfer window opening and plans are already being made about where Nunez could go and who could replace him.

One of the latest reports has suggested that Napoli might sign him, but they face a dilemma in deciding which transfer strategy they should follow when they attempt to bring in a new striker.

From Liverpool's perspective, there is only one choice they should make.

Nunez to Napoli to allow David to join the Reds

According to Fichajes, the dilemma in play is this - does Antonio Conte sign Jonathan David from Lille or does he opt for Nunez instead?

The 25-year-old Canadian has been incredibly consistent, delivering 25 goals in each of the last three seasons, and so his reliability cannot be brought into question, although he has only played in Belgium and France throughout his career, which could add a little doubt over his credentials.

Meanwhile, with Nunez, you kind of know what you're getting. Under the scrutiny of the Anfield spotlights, you have a player who is struggling, despite previously being able to deliver in the Portuguese league for Benfica alongside one impressive campaign for Almeria in LaLiga 2.

The importance of getting the next step in their career's right will be something weighing on their minds.

But how Napoli decide to proceed will potentially have a massive impact on Liverpool.

Liverpool need Nunez off their books, whether he goes joins Napoli or moves to the Middle East.

But if the Serie A leaders were to make the Uruguayan their next striker, then the Reds would have one less club in their way to sign David as Nunez's replacement.

Conversely, however, if Napoli were to take David, then the club's efforts to sign a new striker would be hit with a significant blow. A target would become unavailable and a potential destination for Nunez would also disappear.

As such, the decision that Napoli make in their striker dilemma will subsequently make an enormous difference to whether the Reds themselves have an ongoing striker dilemma of their own to solve before the transfer market business can really take place.

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Nonetheless, the club's recruitment department still has a lot of analysis to do before a formal approach can be made to Lille about David, as a hefty transfer fee would likely need to be sanctioned for him, but the complexities of possible summer moves are set to be extreme this year.

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