Darwin Nunez’s future at Liverpool remains uncertain, with increasing speculation surrounding a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. The Uruguayan striker is once again the subject of transfer interest, this time with a growing sense of urgency, particularly from Saudi giants Al-Hilal. While Nunez had previously expressed his commitment to new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his plans for the 2024/25 campaign, his form has significantly declined. The forward managed only seven goals across all competitions in the most recent season, a sharp drop from the 18 goals he netted the season prior and the 15 he recorded during his debut year under former manager Jürgen Klopp.
Despite this dip in form, Liverpool had turned down a transfer offer from Saudi Arabia back in January, hoping Nunez could contribute to their Premier League title pursuit. However, the 24-year-old’s impact waned during the latter half of the campaign. His last start came in a match against Southampton on March 8 — which also marked the last time he found the net. From that point on, his role diminished significantly, raising further doubts about his place in the club’s future plans.
Now, with the transfer window approaching, Liverpool once again faces speculation about Nunez’s potential departure. According to *talkSPORT*, Al-Hilal are weighing a move for Nunez as they intensify efforts to secure a marquee signing in time for this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. The Saudi club’s attempts to lure big names have so far been unsuccessful. High-profile targets such as Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Napoli’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen have both reportedly rejected lucrative offers. Osimhen, notably, had a standout 2024/25 season, scoring 37 goals during a loan spell at Turkish club Galatasaray, and has previously attracted interest from Liverpool as well.
Adding to the intrigue, Portuguese outlet *A Bola* reports that another Al-Hilal target, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, has also turned down a move to Saudi Arabia. The 27-year-old Swedish striker has been in extraordinary form, scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances over the last two seasons. He, too, has been linked with Liverpool and is said to favour a move to the Premier League — something that could play into the Reds’ hands if they opt to reinforce their forward line.
The pressure on Liverpool to act quickly may increase, as Al-Hilal must finalize any new signings by Tuesday in order to register them for the upcoming Club World Cup. This tight deadline could work in Liverpool’s favour if they decide to offload Nunez and recoup a portion of the £85 million they spent on him in 2022. Given that Al-Hilal have shown a willingness to spend heavily — with reports suggesting offers of £100 million for Fernandes and £63 million for other striker targets — Liverpool could yet negotiate a favourable deal.
For now, Liverpool’s hierarchy appears calm, continuing to focus on other transfer priorities. Players like Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez remain on their radar, but with the transfer window set to open on June 16, bringing in a new striker could soon rise to the top of their agenda.
