Recent rumors have sparked speculation that Liverpool might transfer Darwin Nunez to Arsenal before the upcoming transfer deadline on Friday. While the deal has been described as “unlikely but not impossible,” such a move would be surprising for several reasons.
Nunez has had a challenging start to the season under Liverpool’s new coach, Arne Slot. Despite being a high-profile signing, he has primarily been used as a substitute, a pattern that continued from the previous season under Jurgen Klopp. His brief appearance against Brentford was marred by an offside incident that frustrated some fans. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has emerged as the preferred choice for the central forward position, further limiting Nunez’s opportunities.
Given these challenges, the idea that Liverpool might sell Nunez to Arsenal seems far-fetched. The rumor’s origin, a source known as “AFCAMDEN,” is not highly regarded. This same source previously claimed that Curtis Jones might move to Arsenal, a suggestion that Liverpool dismissed outright. Furthermore, Liverpool has consistently indicated that they have no intention of selling Nunez. Last month, a report from the Liverpool ECHO emphasized that the club was not interested in letting the striker go, whether on loan or permanently, despite interest from Turkey.
However, it’s possible that Slot’s opinion of Nunez could have evolved after observing his performance in the early part of the season. Player transfers between top clubs have become more common, and Arsenal’s reliance on forwards like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom they acquired from Chelsea and Manchester City, respectively, could suggest that a move for Nunez aligns with their recent transfer strategies.
There are also reports suggesting that Nunez is eager for a move to London, where he would join Mikel Arteta’s squad and compete for silverware. It’s worth noting that while Nunez won trophies with Liverpool last season, he might not have achieved the same at Arsenal. Despite these reports, it seems unlikely that Liverpool would be willing to part ways with their record signing so soon.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s coach, has repeatedly praised the quality of the squad he inherited and has expressed his intention to improve it further through coaching rather than transfers. According to Liverpool.com, the notion of selling Nunez falls into the realm of “silly season” transfer rumors, which often surface as the window draws to a close.
Considering the limited time left in the transfer window and the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement, it seems improbable that Liverpool would decide to sell Nunez. While Jota may currently be ahead in the pecking order, his history of injuries makes it crucial for Liverpool to maintain depth in their attacking options. In fact, Liverpool arguably needs more attacking depth rather than less, making this potential transfer not worth taking seriously.