Liverpool transfer news: Darwin Nunez future update as Napoli deal falls through, Saudi Pro League interest rumoured

Liverpool do not view waiting for Saudi Pro League interest in Darwin Nunez to materialise as a risk, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has insisted.

The Merseysiders have been busy adding players to their squad, but a number of stars could find themselves heading for the exit doors this summer.

Napoli had been reported to be in negotiations with the Liverpool for Nunez, but the Serie A side are said to have baulked at the Premier League team's demands.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch does not believe the Reds are risking pricing sides out of a transfer, and claimed there is still interest from the Saudi Pro League, saying: "Saudi will come back onto the table - that looks to be a serious option for him - and there was a willingness on the player's side to make that move in January.

"He wasn't actually happy that Liverpool denied him the move then, so there's a possibility now that that gets reignited, and if he's shown a willingness in January and this Napoli move has fallen through and there's no chance of that being resurrected, then there's going to be a willingness there this time as well.

"Liverpool know what went on in January, that the Saudi interest was there, that they were willing to pay a much higher fee and that the player had a willingness to go there as well."

Al-Hilal have been credited with a serious interest in Nunez, and they would be able to match Liverpool's demands, which are said to be in excess of £60m.

Could Atletico Madrid sign Nunez?

Given that Napoli have signed number nine Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese - initially on a loan deal with an option to buy - Nunez would have to wait at least a year to join the Serie A club.

Other European sides such as Atletico Madrid were said to have been keeping tabs on forward's future, but the La Liga giants are unlikely to be able to afford the striker.

Lynch expressed his view that it looks like the Uruguayan will have to settle for the Saudi Pro League if he wishes to move on, when he told Sports Mole: "It feels like [it has to be Saudi] because it doesn't feel like Atletico Madrid have firmed up their interest, and that was there earlier in the summer.

"It doesn't seem like he has an awful lot of European options now. He was very keen to go to Napoli and they were keen to sign him, but they just couldn't make it work in terms of the numbers, so we're in a position where that looks to have fallen through and he is going to have to go with the alternative option."

Nunez is contracted to Liverpool until 2028, and the club will want to extract maximum value in a sale considering he was bought in 2022 from Benfica for a fee that could rise to £85m.

Could Nunez stay at Anfield?

Under boss Arne Slot, Nunez started just eight times in the Premier League last term, whereas he has started 22 matches in the league in 2023-24.

The 26-year-old came on as a substitute against Preston North End in a pre-season friendly on July 13, and he managed to score the Reds' second goal, while also helping create his side's third.

Despite his strong performance, Lynch does not envisage a future with him at Anfield, telling Sports Mole: "I thought he did well in the friendly against Preston, but he knows his prospects of regular minutes next season are very slim. The manager's not changed his mind on how he sees Nunez.

"I'd be very surprised if this window ends with Darwin Nunez still there. You've got to think that Liverpool are going to end up with a fee that they find acceptable. I think [staying firm on their valuation] will ultimately prove to be the right stance because Liverpool will get what they want from this.

"Nunez will get his move and it'll be for a fee that is enough to reinvest. It feels risky in this moment now that Napoli's interest has dissipated, but if they end the window with the right fee, then you'll say it's a good decision. The proof will be in the pudding, but I still lean towards the idea that [a Saudi deal is] going to happen."

Nunez scored five goals in 2024-25 and 11 times in 2023-24, and he has so far failed to show that he can provide consistently for Liverpool in the final third, so a sale could be best for all parties.

> Click here to listen to the full discussion on Darwin Nunez's future at Liverpool

Written by
Lewis Nolan