Liverpool receives Darwin Nunez approach as favored destination slips away

Darwin Nunez is once again being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer, with his favored transfer destination seemingly slipping away.

The Uruguay international has been touted for an exit from Liverpool this summer after struggling to find his feet during his three years on Merseyside. With the Reds stepping up their search for a new striker after approaching Newcastle over Alexander Isak, and with Hugo Ekitike seen as a backup option, it is looking increasingly likely that Nunez’s future might lie away from Anfield.

The 26-year-old did send a timely reminder to his current employers as he scored in Sunday’s opening pre-season friendly against Preston, and delivered a fitting tribute to Diogo Jota in the process.

Nevertheless, a departure would appear to be the most likely outcome this summer, especially after he found himself out of favor with Arne Slot at the end of last season.

Saudi Arabia could provide an option for him, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that top clubs in the Middle East have made an initial approach to Nunez.

Sides from the Pro League are said to be prepared to tempt him again now after Liverpool rejected a deal back in January, and they might be helped by Nunez’s favored destination potentially pulling out of a move.

The striker is said to have been waiting for Napoli for a month now, with the Italian champion having been strongly linked with his services for some time.

Now, though, Antonio Conte’s side looks to be closing in on the signing of Udinese frontman Lorenzo Lucca, with Romano also indicating that a five-year deal is set to be signed by him later this week.

With Romelu Lukaku also on their books, it seems increasingly unlikely that Napoli would also target Nunez this summer, with doubts already having been expressed over his price tag.

Previous reports have suggested that Nunez wants to stay in Europe, and had been favoring a move to Spain or Italy, with Atletico Madrid having also been linked earlier in the summer.

With his options seemingly decreasing, though, he may well have to consider a move to Saudi Arabia, with the Pro League’s head of scouting, Thomas Spring, having already named Nunez as a target.

"I think that the recruitment model will be a healthy balance between elite, world-class players," Spring told The Overlap back in April. "So I still envisage a Mo Salah, a De Bruyne, a Darwin Nunez. I still envisage those players coming across.”

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