Liverpool have reportedly rejected a substantial £70 million offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal for their Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez. The bid underscores the growing interest in the forward, whose future at Anfield has been the subject of significant speculation in recent weeks.
Reports initially linked Nunez with a move to AC Milan, with the Italian side purportedly exploring a loan deal that included a €45 million option to buy. However, Al-Hilal’s emergence as a serious contender for his signature has shifted the narrative. The Saudi side tabled an eye-watering financial package to tempt the striker away from Liverpool.
Central to Al-Hilal’s proposal was a weekly wage of £400,000—more than double the £140,000 Nunez currently earns at Liverpool. This figure dwarfs even Mohamed Salah’s £350,000 weekly salary, the highest in Liverpool’s history. While Nunez is reportedly keen to remain in European football, the financial appeal of a move to the Saudi Pro League cannot be entirely discounted.
Despite this, Liverpool have held firm. According to reports, the Merseyside club has rejected Al-Hilal’s £70 million offer, placing a valuation on the player closer to £85 million. The club is said to be willing to entertain negotiations for a fee in the region of £75 million, with Michael Edwards, known for his shrewd transfer dealings, playing a key role in overseeing discussions.
Since arriving at Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 for a then-club-record fee of £85 million, Nunez’s time at Anfield has been a mixed bag. In his debut Premier League campaign, he found the back of the net just nine times in 29 league appearances. His second season saw an improvement, with 11 goals and eight assists across 36 matches in all competitions.
However, Nunez has struggled with consistency, alternating between moments of brilliance and periods of wastefulness in front of goal. While he remains a fan favourite at Anfield, his erratic performances and lack of a clinical edge have frustrated supporters.
Under the stewardship of new manager Arne Slot, Nunez’s position in the starting lineup has come under threat. Diogo Jota has often been preferred, and Luis Díaz has flourished in a false-nine role, further limiting Nunez’s opportunities. This shift has sparked conversations about his long-term future at the club.
Whether Al-Hilal will return with an improved offer remains uncertain. Equally unclear is Liverpool’s willingness to part ways with the striker mid-season. With the Reds competing in multiple competitions and showing strong prospects for silverware, selling Nunez at this juncture could be seen as a risky move.
