Liverpool makes Darwin Nunez transfer decision ahead of Hugo Ekitike arrival

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Liverpool may be open to allowing Darwin Nunez to leave on a loan-with-an-obligation-to-buy deal, according to reports.

The Uruguayan does not figure in Reds head coach Arne Slot's plans for the new season, with impending arrival Hugo Ekitike expected to lead the line for the Anfield club next term.

For a while, it looked as though Nunez might end up at Napoli, but the Serie A champion withdrew its interest and ended up signing Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese instead. Now, Juventus is being linked with a move for the 26-year-old as an alternative to Randal Kolo Muani, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Juve from Paris Saint-Germain.

Football Italia claims that Juve is struggling to agree terms with PSG over a return to Turin for Kolo Muani, and that Nunez has emerged as a possible option.

Liverpool wants around $70 million for Nunez, but the report says the Reds could be willing to entertain a loan-with-an-obligation-to-buy deal.

With Dusan Vlahovic currently on Juve's books, the Bianconeri club is unlikely to rush into a deal for Nunez, but it is an option to keep an eye on.

Atletico Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia have also been linked with Nunez, who has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for Liverpool.

Nunez scored a hat-trick on Sunday as Liverpool beat Stoke 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Center. Later in the day, he was part of the 29-man traveling squad that flew to Hong Kong ahead of this weekend's friendly against AC Milan.

The Reds will also face Yokohama F. Marinos, in Japan, during the two-game tour of Asia, before returning to England for back-to-back friendlies against Athletic Club at Anfield on August 4.

Nunez signed for Liverpool in 2022

Nunez signed for Liverpool in 2022

Nunez is one of several players who could leave Liverpool before the transfer window closes, with Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz also facing uncertain futures at Anfield.

Chiesa was the most notable absentee from the squad that traveled to Asia, but the suggestion from the club is that he did not travel due to a slight fitness issue.

Despite that explanation, Chiesa's absence from the squad has obviously prompted more questions surrounding his long-term future at Anfield.

Diaz, meanwhile, is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich after the door was closed on a possible move to Barcelona by Marcus Rashford's move to the Nou Camp.

Elliott is considering his future at Anfield after a season in which he started just twice in the Premier League, with both of those starts coming after the title had been wrapped up.

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