Darwin Nunez transfer twist emerges as Liverpool tipped to re-sign $70M defender

Darwin Nunez looks like he won't be on the move again despite recent reports of an accepted bid, while Liverpool has been tipped to bring one of its former players back

Darwin Nunez has been linked with another transfer following his exit from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

The transfer window may be closed in the Premier League, but elsewhere in parts of Europe, it remains open, with the possibility of players still making moves before the end of the week.

Liverpool finished off what was a quiet January by securing the signing of Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day, with the Rennes star set to officially make the move to Anfield in the summer. More defensive options are needed though, and one former Red is being tipped for a return.

Meanwhile, speculation has been growing over Darwin Nunez’s future, although it seems the former Liverpool striker isn’t going anywhere soon.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Darwin Nunez (Al-Hilal)

Darwin Nunez will not be heading to Fenerbahce, according to Fabrizio Romano, despite recent reports suggesting that an offer had been accepted by Al-Hilal.

The Uruguay international has been linked with another transfer just six months after leaving Liverpool, with Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh having claimed on X that an offer from Fenerbahce had been accepted. Although the transfer window has closed across most of Europe, it remains open in Turkey until February 6.

Romano though has dismissed the possibility of Nunez moving, saying that a deal is not happening and was “never close”. The striker will be aiming to help Al-Hilal to the Saudi Pro League title this season, with his side sitting just one point clear of Sadio Mane’s Al-Nassr.

Liverpool.com says: It wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Nunez moving back to Europe at some stage. He is still just 26, after all, so he's just entering the prime years of his career.

It would certainly be fun to see him back with a European club, and a move to somewhere like Turkey feels like it would make the most sense, given he's unlikely to earn a move to one of the top sides on the continent following his stint at Liverpool.

Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Liverpool has been tipped to re-sign Jarell Quansah next year as replacements for Ibrahima Konate are eyed up. The Frenchman’s contract at Anfield expires in the summer, with no signs of an extension forthcoming at the moment.

One option could be to bring Quansah back, although the Reds would have to wait a year to do so. Liverpool holds a buy-back clause thought to be worth around $69 million following the defender’s move to Bayer Leverkusen, which can be triggered in 2027.

Although that wouldn’t solve the issue of Konate leaving this summer, European football expert Andy Brassell has suggested it could still be a deal Liverpool pursues. "I wonder if at some point Jarell Quansah maybe comes back,” he told talkSPORT.

Jarell Quansah has been tipped to make a return to Liverpool(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)

“I think that has to be a question as well. We've seen that before with players going out to the Bundesliga.

"Or do you even look at going way back, look at Dani Carvajal having his year in Leverkusen before going back to Real Madrid and becoming a Real Madrid legend. That's always a possibility, I think."

Liverpool.com says: 2027 is a little too far away to be thinking about bringing Quansah back right now. If he continues to impress at Leverkusen, then absolutely Liverpool should revisit the idea next year, but if Konate is to leave, then Jacquet is not going to be enough on his own this summer, and another defender will be needed.