Darwin Nunez Nears Liverpool Exit as Napoli and AC Milan Circle

Darwin Nunez’s time at Anfield could be coming to an end, with Liverpool reportedly ready to cash in on the striker this summer. The 25-year-old Uruguayan, who arrived with plenty of fanfare from Benfica in 2023, is now attracting serious interest from multiple clubs across Europe—and even further afield.

After struggling for consistent starts under new manager Arne Slot, Nunez’s future looks increasingly uncertain. The fact that he didn’t start a single one of Liverpool’s final 11 games last season speaks volumes. According to The Athletic and the Daily Mail, Liverpool’s owners FSG would be open to letting him go if the right offer comes in. 

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has been closely following the story. Last week, he revealed that Napoli had initiated contact with both Nunez and Federico Chiesa. And over the weekend, Romano said those early conversations have turned into something more serious. “Napoli have moved from phone calls to serious, direct, and concrete contacts for Darwin Nunez,” Romano said. “They’re actively working on a deal, though it’s not a straightforward operation. Saudi clubs are also in the mix.” 

At this stage, three main contenders are believed to be leading the race: Napoli, AC Milan, and Saudi side Al-Hilal. Napoli appear the most active right now. New boss Antonio Conte is a fan of Nunez and believes he’d suit his high-energy attacking system. Sporting director Giovanni Manna has reportedly been laying the groundwork for weeks, with the club pushing for a loan deal—though Liverpool are likely to prefer an outright sale. AC Milan have also shown interest. The Rossoneri have reached out to Liverpool but, as of now, haven’t made any formal bid. They’d like to bring him in on loan too, but Nunez’s current €70 million (£59.7m) price tag is seen as a bit rich for their liking.  

As for Al-Hilal, they were the first to approach Liverpool back in January and are prepared to meet the Premier League club’s full asking price. But there’s a twist—Nunez reportedly isn’t keen on a move to Saudi Arabia just yet. He’d much prefer to continue his career in Europe, with Serie A and LaLiga his top destinations. Liverpool previously turned down a £60 million offer from Al-Nassr in the winter window and will expect something similar if they’re to part ways with the Uruguayan this summer. Whether Napoli or Milan can come close to that figure remains to be seen. 

With three years left on his contract, Liverpool hold some leverage, but if the right offer comes in, they could cash in and reinvest in a new forward. For Núñez, a move might be exactly what he needs to rediscover his best form—whether that’s in Italy, Spain, or elsewhere. As Romano put it, "It’s not an easy operation," but one thing’s clear: the race for Darwin Núñez is heating up. 

Also Read: Atletico Madrid Turn to Andy Robertson After Theo Hernandez Talks Stall with AC Milan