Darwin Nunez fee agreed as Liverpool set to take hit on transfer exit

Liverpool has moved a step closer to offloading Darwin Nunez this summer, with a transfer to Saudi Arabia on the cards for the striker.

Nunez has been linked with a move away from Anfield for some time now, having dropped down the pecking order with the Reds last season under Arne Slot. The Uruguayan failed to start a game during the final couple of months of the 2024/25 campaign, and despite scoring five goals during pre-season, an exit has always seemed likely.

A move to Napoli looked to be in the offing earlier in the summer before the Italian champions turned their attention elsewhere. Links with Saudi Arabia have grown in recent days though, with a fee having now been agreed with Al Hilal.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool has reached an agreement in principle for a $61.5 million (€53M/£46M) deal plus add-ons.

A deal is not yet finalized, but Nunez is said to have shown a willingness to accept the move after previous reports indicated he wanted to stay in Europe.

It’s suggested that Nunez could join Al Hilal at their training camp in Germany should the deal go through. Liverpool heads to Wembley on Sunday to face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, with the latest developments suggesting the 26-year-old may have already played his last game for Reds, having scored against Athletic Club on Monday.

Nunez’s exit looks set to come after three years at Anfield, during which time he has been unable to live up to the expectations that followed his big-money move from Benfica, despite the occasional flash of his talent.

Liverpool signed Nunez for an initial fee of around $87M (€75M), with a further $29M (€25M) on offer to Benfica from add-ons.

Reports in Portugal earlier this summer though indicated Liverpool had avoided making one of those payments after Nunez failed to make a start following a game against Southampton back in March. It was suggested that the final figure paid by the Reds came to around $96.7M.

That would still represent a loss of around $35M before the add-ons of his move to Al Hilal are taken into account, with no indication yet as to what Liverpool could get with those included.

Even with bonuses, the Reds will have to accept a loss on Nunez, which it has known would be the case for some time.

Nevertheless, the $61.5M upfront fee will come as a welcome boost amid the ongoing speculation surrounding a possible move for Alexander Isak.

Liverpool has been handed a potential blow on that front, with Manchester United seemingly beating Newcastle to the signature of Benjamin Sesko, but the latest cash injection might facilitate another bid for Isak after a first offer of $146M was turned down last week.

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