August 06, (THEWILL) — Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal for the transfer of striker Darwin Núñez, though the deal is not expected to be completed before Sunday’s Community Shield match against Crystal Palace.
The 26-year-old Uruguayan forward, who joined Liverpool for a club-record fee that could reach £85 million two years ago, has been the subject of transfer speculation throughout the summer after struggling to establish himself as a regular starter under new manager Arne Slot.
The proposed transfer would see Liverpool receive an initial fee of €53 million before potential add-ons, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Al Hilal have identified Núñez as their “priority target” to fill the void left by Neymar Jr’s departure six months ago.
Despite the advanced stage of negotiations between the clubs, Núñez has yet to agree personal terms with the Saudi Pro League side, who are managed by Simone Inzaghi and have been actively pursuing the Uruguay international.
The forward is expected to be available for selection in Sunday’s Community Shield, suggesting the transfer will not be finalised immediately.
The striker has maintained his focus during pre-season, scoring five goals in four friendly appearances.
Liverpool are reportedly planning to use the funds from Núñez’s sale to strengthen their pursuit of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, with a second formal bid expected once Newcastle secure a suitable replacement.
The potential transfer creates a complex situation given that both Newcastle United and Al Hilal share the same majority owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Newcastle’s transfer activity is constrained by English Premier League financial regulations rather than their owners’ wealth, which has limited their spending this summer.
The prospect of PIF-owned Al Hilal effectively subsidising Liverpool’s bid for Isak would likely cause significant tension on Tyneside, where there are already concerns about the owners prioritising their Saudi interests over Newcastle.
Liverpool’s decision to sell Núñez comes after two seasons in which the forward failed to consistently meet expectations following his high-profile move from Benfica.
The club’s willingness to accept a reduced fee for the player shows their desire to reshape the attacking options available to Slot.
Any funds generated from the transfer will be reinvested in the squad, with the Newcastle striker remaining the primary target as Liverpool look to strengthen their title challenge for the upcoming campaign.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
