Liverpool reportedly turned down two offers from Al-Nassr for Darwin Nunez in January, with the Saudi club proposing over £62 million for the Uruguayan striker to join Cristiano Ronaldo in their attack. The negotiations were advanced, and Al-Nassr felt optimistic about securing the transfer if Liverpool agreed to sell.
The primary concern for Liverpool wasn’t the financial aspect of the bids, as Al-Nassr’s second offer was close to their valuation of Nunez. Instead, the club hesitated due to the lack of a suitable attacking replacement before the transfer window closed. Fabrizio Romano noted that finding a replacement would likely require a premium payment, considering the urgency of a January deal.
Before signing Jhon Duran, Al-Nassr sought to pair Nunez with Ronaldo, but Liverpool opted to retain the striker, viewing him as a critical component of Arne Slot’s strategy for the season. However, the club is open to reassessing Nunez’s future in the summer.
Prior to signing Jhon Duran, Al-Nassr sought to pair Nunez with Cristiano Ronaldo in their attack.
However, Liverpool opted not to release Nunez due to the lack of a replacement.
In their quest to secure an unprecedented three trophies in Arne Slot’s debut season at Merseyside, the Reds still regard Nunez as a vital component in the Dutchman’s current strategy, which adds to their reluctance to part with him.
Since joining Liverpool from Benfica for £85 million in 2022, Nunez has been inconsistent, scoring 24 goals in 83 appearances. He has also been among the top three players for missed big chances in the Premier League, with 21 in the 2022-23 season and 27 the following season. This season, he has netted six goals and provided four assists in 29 matches across all competitions.
Despite the ongoing speculation and criticism regarding his performances, Slot emphasized Nunez’s work ethic and impact on the team. He stated, “If you only focus on goals, he hasn’t scored as many as he wishes, or that we expect from a striker, but his work rate is impactful.” Slot acknowledged that while scoring goals is a priority for strikers, contributions to the team and overall work rate are equally important.
Nunez remains a player of interest, and as Slot pointed out, the support from fans may add to the pressure he feels to perform. The club’s decision to keep him reflects their belief in his potential to contribute positively as they pursue their ambitions this season.