Darwin Nunez time at Liverpool looks set to come to an end after Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal agreed a £46.3 million (€53m) deal to sign the Uruguay international striker.
The 26-year-old is now expected to undergo a medical before finalising his move to the Middle East, where he will join a growing list of European stars lured by the Saudi project. Al-Hilal, coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, are adding Nunez to a squad already featuring high-profile names such as Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Yassine Bounou.
Nunez joined Liverpool in the summer of 2022 from Benfica for an initial fee of £64 million. Despite flashes of brilliance and a few memorable moments, the striker has often divided opinion among fans and pundits. He has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances across all competitions for the Reds but has struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter.
In Liverpool’s title-winning 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Nunez started only eight league matches. He scored just seven goals across the season but impressed in recent pre-season fixtures, netting five times in four games, including a 20-minute hat-trick against Stoke.
Statistically, Nunez’s Premier League record has been underwhelming. He has scored just 25 league goals while underperforming his expected goals (xG) total by 8.6 — the second-worst margin among all players over the last three seasons, with only Dominic Calvert-Lewin faring worse. His shot conversion rate of 11.1% ranks 95th, far behind elite strikers who typically exceed 20%.
Nunez’s move is expected to free up funds for Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Magpies have already rejected a £110 million offer from Liverpool for the 25-year-old Sweden international, but the Anfield club are considering an improved bid. Newcastle are said to value Isak at around £150 million.
Liverpool’s summer transfer activity has been intense. The club have already broken their transfer record to sign Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million and added French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79 million deal. Their spending now exceeds £250 million — but outgoing deals, including Nunez’s, are helping balance the books.
Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich for £65.5 million, while Tyler Morton joined Lyon for £15 million. Midfielder Harvey Elliott could also leave before the window closes. These moves are part of a strategic overhaul led by manager Arne Slot, who is shaping a new-look squad following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of last season.
Nunez had previously attracted interest from several European clubs, including Napoli and Atletico Madrid, but Al-Hilal’s financial offer and project have won the race. A January bid of £61 million from Al-Nassr was rejected, but Liverpool have now decided the timing is right to sell.
Despite his inconsistent finishing, Nunez was popular among teammates and staff for his work rate and character. He often created chances through sheer determination, and his unpredictability posed problems for defenders. He also holds the unfortunate record of hitting the woodwork more times than any other player in Europe’s top leagues since the start of the 2022-23 season — 14 in total.
His departure will leave Liverpool with a void in terms of forward depth, though the arrivals of Wirtz and Ekitike, combined with the possible signing of Isak, suggest the club is transitioning toward a more clinical and composed attacking style.
Nunez’s time at Anfield may be remembered as one of raw potential and occasional brilliance, but also one marked by inconsistency. For Al-Hilal, the hope will be that a new environment can unlock the ruthless finisher many believed he could become.
