Darwin Nunez has officially left Liverpool, confirming his transfer to Al Hilal in the Saudi Arabian Pro League.
The 26-year-old striker from Uruguay has reportedly made the switch for a fee of 53 million euros (approximately $62 million), according to ESPN.
Liverpool FC announced, “Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al Hilal, pending international clearance.”
-Hau: Isaac’s future at Newcastle is not my decision
-Gerrard: Owen, as a teenager, is more like Mbappe than Yamal
-Slots: Liverpool remains active in the market regarding Isaac
This move marks the end of Nunez’s three-year tenure at Anfield, during which he contributed significantly to the team.
“The club extends its gratitude to Darwin for his efforts and wishes him and his family all the best in the future,” the statement continued.
Núñez joined Liverpool from Benfica in June 2022 for an initial fee of £64 million.
Throughout his time with the club, he scored 40 goals in 143 appearances but started only eight Premier League matches during last season’s title-winning campaign.
Nunez had also been pursued by another Saudi club, Al Nassr, in January, but a £60 million offer was turned down as Liverpool was unwilling to sell mid-season.
Sources disclosed to ESPN that Nunez had shown an interest in leaving again this summer, but a bid from Napoli early in the window was rejected by Liverpool.
The club believed Nunez did not meet their valuation, especially since the proposed payment terms extended over five years until summer 2026.
Nevertheless, his exit seemed inevitable after several underwhelming performances, contributing to Liverpool’s revenue approaching £200 million this summer.
Additionally, the club has bolstered its squad with new signings like Hugo Ekitike, amid a total expenditure of £300 million.
Liverpool is reportedly still interested in Alexander Isak from Newcastle after declining a £110 million bid last week.
Magpies manager Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that Isak is unlikely to play in the Premier League season opener against Aston Villa.
This report included information from the PA.
Fan Take: The departure of Nunez highlights the growing trend of players moving to the Saudi Pro League, which could reshape the landscape of soccer across Europe. For fans, this shift not only affects club dynamics but also sparks discussions about player development, talent retention, and the league’s emerging global impact.
