Darwin Nunez is edging towards an exit from Liverpool in this summer’s transfer window having registered just seven goals in all competitions in the Reds’ title-winning season
Three decisions must be made before Liverpool will allow Darwin Nunez to make his expected departure this summer. Nunez arrived at Anfield for a club record £85million back in the summer of 2022.
But the Uruguayan has struggled to get to grips with life in the Premier League. He has scored just 25 top-flight goals in 91 games since his move three years ago, while he has notched just seven times in 47 appearances in all competitions this term.
While there are still three years to run on his contract, it appears the 25-year-old’s time on Merseyside is up. Reds chiefs are working towards moving Nunez on this summer.
They are bidding to increase the warchest available to boss Arne Slot after he led them to the Premier League title in his first season in charge. Liverpool are expected to face a tough challenge to their defence next year.
The likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa are expected to invest heavily this summer. While there are substantial funds for Slot to play with, he would also benefit from any player sales.
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But according to the Daily Telegraph, selling Nunez relies on three key decisions. The first is receiving ‘an acceptable bid’ in exchange for the mecurial attacker. It is unlikely that any suitor would offer anything close to what Liverpool paid Benfica three years ago.
Despite that, they will not be willing to take a major hit on any sale. The second relies upon a suitable replacement being found for the striker to help Slot in his title defence.
Signing a new No.9 is a top priority for the summer, with Liverpool scouts having been assessing candidates for months. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is ‘obviously rated’ by Reds chiefs.
But there is an acceptance that the chances of signing him are ‘slim to none’. It is thought the Magpies are ready to slap a massive £130million price tag on the Swedish international, who has a lengthy contract in place.
An alternative is Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike, though again the Bundesliga side are set to demand a large fee in the region of £80m. It is claimed that Liverpool are prepared to pay ‘big money’ but only for the right player.
That leads into the final condition, which gravitates around Nunez himself. Liverpool are expected to only sell him if he feels ready to move on and earn more regular game-time, with Slot recently dismissing claims he has been ordered to bench the 25-year-old.
“Do you always believe what journalists say? Not always? Me neither,” he said last Friday. “Sometimes you should, but sometimes it’s better not to believe everything that is written about players.
“This is completely new to me and I’ve said many times that I’m working at a club here where it’s really nice to work. So mainly sporting directors are judged by the players they bring in, for me it’s very important to have a great working environment.
“I have that with Richard (Hughes). The last, last, last, last, last thing he would do, as I expect working with him for 10 months, is tell me ‘if you play him it would cost us this much’. That, he would never, never, never do.”
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