Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is reportedly closing in on a move to Saudi club Al Hilal, which could enable the Premier League champions to make a fresh bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
Nunez joined the Reds for an initial €75 million (£65 million) from Benfica three years ago but has struggled to meet that price tag.
The Uruguayan has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances but has slipped down the pecking order at Anfield under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal will pay an initial €53 million for the 26-year-old.
Nunez is likely to play even less this season after Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz as part of a €300 million spending spree that also includes full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.
However, the club could still break the British transfer record by signing Isak, with Newcastle reportedly demanding a fee of up to £150 million for the Swedish striker.
The sale of Nunez would bring Liverpool’s income from transfer sales this window to nearly €200 million after the departures of Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Tyler Morton.
Harvey Elliott is also attracting interest from RB Leipzig, with Liverpool wanting at least €45 million for the England midfielder.
Nunez would become the latest high-profile name to join Al Hilal, who shocked Manchester City to reach the quarter-finals of the recent Club World Cup.
