If you squint at things in just the right way, there’s a case that Liverpool’s struggles in 2025-26 at least in part point to the value of Darwin Nuñez, with the Reds and in particular winger Mohamed Salah missing having any kind of a hard-grafting presence leading the line and the rest of the attack suffering for it.
For all that Nuñez’ finishing often let him down, his tireless running and desire to always push forward was clearly lacking at the pointy end for the Reds last season after selling
him to Al Hilal for around €50M. Now, though, the club might just have a chance to get him back a year later—and on a free to boot.
Over the past 24 hours, the chatter in the land of transfer rumours—coming originally out of Spain, where Nuñez is also said to be attracting interest from Barcelona as a potential bargain Robert Lewandowski replacement—has set out that for the player’s part at least, a return to Anfield would be the preferred option.
Along with Liverpool and Barcelona, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have also been linked as potential destinations for the Uruguayan international. Nuñez was frozen out at Al Hilal mid-season after the Saudi club signed Karim Benzema, with registration rules forcing them to de-list a foreign-born player to make room.
Still just 26 years of age, Nuñez was able to negotiate the termination of his contract with Al Hilal and will now be able to return to Europe and to the club of his choosing on a free transfer. Even with some shortcomings, for a player of his physical talents and work-rate that would be a very hard bargain to say no to.
