Newcastle United continue to evaluate attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window as they assess how best to strengthen their forward line, and amid rumors of a possible Nick Woltemade exit.
With speculation surrounding several strikers across Europe, attention has shifted to a high-profile name currently playing in Saudi Arabia and with a Premier League past.
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are among a number of top tier clubs monitoring the situation of Darwin Nunez. The 26-year-old joined
Al Hilal from Liverpool last summer in a deal worth more than €50 million after he joined the Reds for a massive €85 million fee.
Nunez has scored nine goals in 24 appearances for the Riyadh-based club. However, his role reportedly diminished after Al Hilal signed Karim Benzema in February. Due to the Saudi Pro League’s foreign player quota rules, Nunez was removed from the league and cup squad, meaning he cannot feature in domestic competition for the remainder of the season.
TEAMtalk reports that the situation has left Nunez considering his future, with intermediaries telling clubs in England about his potential return to Europe. Newcastle and Tottenham are among the sides said to have been informed, while Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also described as long-term admirers of the Uruguay international.
The report adds that a move would require a significant financial adjustment. Nunez is believed to earn north of €500,000 per week in Saudi Arabia, and any return to Europe would involve accepting a substantial wage reduction, no matter where he goes.
For Newcastle, any potential approach would depend on broader squad planning, financial considerations and PIF’s willingness to toy around with their own assets.
At this stage, no formal bid from NUFC or any other European club has been reported, but the player’s uncertain standing in Saudi Arabia has placed his name back into transfer discussions ahead of the summer window.
