Liverpool ready to greenlight Darwin Nunez exit after transfer decision
Darwin Nunez’s long-term future at Liverpool remains up in the air after a profligate season in front of goal at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side may be well on course for the Premier League title and sit 12 points clear of their closest challengers Arsenal, but the last week has seen a near-perfect season go up in smoke on Merseyside.
Being dumped out of the Champions League on penalties – in which Nunez missed his kick – was followed up by a 2-1 loss to Newcastle in the EFL Cup Final five days later, ending their hopes of a treble.
With the Reds already out of the FA Cup and looking set to seal their 20th domestic league crown at a canter, attention is now turning to what Slot’s squad will look like come the first day of next season.
Darwin Nunez transfer set to be sanctioned by Liverpool
While the most transfer speculation at Anfield this summer concerns the out-of-contract, world-class trio of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, further exits are on the cards.
Another player potentially on the brink is Nunez, with talkSPORT reporting on 18 March that Liverpool are preparing to consider transfer offers for the Uruguayan just three seasons after his club-record switch.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Darwin Nunez | 40 | 16 | 7 | 7 |
Nunez’s 40 appearances for the Reds this term have seen just 16 come as starts, and with a mere seven goals to his name, Liverpool are willing to cut ties on a player they shelled out close to £85million on.
Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs already sniffing around Nunez’s availability this summer, and with Slot ready to sell up, it remains to be seen the kind of price range Liverpool would accept.
Nunez transfer the best move for all parties at Liverpool
Despite Slot not appearing to be settled on who his first-choice number nine is when the Dutchman has a fully-fit squad to choose from, it is clear that Nunez certainly doesn’t fit the bill as a regular starter.
Liverpool’s record signing regularly being unable to break into their starting lineup – particularly one as free-scoring as Slot’s current iteration – isn’t a good sign, and those signs point towards a summer exit.
Atletico pursuing Nunez provides an intruiging opportunity for Liverpool to make good on their interest in Julian Alvarez, providing him with an immediate Premier League return and Atletico with a replacement.
While this potential swap could be a long shot, it’s clear Slot wants an upgrade on Nunez at number nine.