Nunez’s Turbulent Liverpool Journey Ends with Saudi Switch
Darwin Nunez’s time at Liverpool is over. The Uruguayan forward, who arrived just two years ago for a club-record fee, is set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. The deal is worth €53 million up front, rising to €65 million with add-ons—making it a transaction impossible for Liverpool to ignore, especially given the player’s eagerness to leave.
This transfer wraps up what’s been a whirlwind stint at Anfield for Nunez. He hit 40 goals in 143 matches and managed double digits in both league and cup, but his Liverpool legacy will be more complicated than his stats suggest. There were moments of electric brilliance—big-game goals and relentless pressing—mixed with nights where his finishing left fans tearing their hair out. Supporters had a love-hate relationship with his unpredictable style, but even critics admitted Nunez brought chaos and excitement to Liverpool’s attack.
Those flashes of genius weren’t enough to cement his spot under Jurgen Klopp—especially with the club pushing for major trophies. As last season wore on, Nunez found himself increasingly benched. His frustration grew, and the rumors only got louder. From January, he was reportedly pushing for a move, tired of bit-part appearances and regular scrutiny.
Liverpool did have other suitors—notably Napoli, who made initial offers. But Napoli’s bid came with a complicated payment plan, which the club flatly rejected. Al Hilal’s offer, on the other hand, is all cash up front, and that’s exactly what tipped the scales. Liverpool is set to pocket a fee just about matching what they paid Benfica in 2022, despite Nunez’s market value wobbling during his second campaign.
A Changing of the Guard Up Front
The Nunez exit comes hot on the heels of Luis Diaz’s transfer to Saudi Arabia as well. The pair’s departures are clear signs that Liverpool’s attacking line is getting a serious makeover this summer. Club bosses have made it clear: they won’t panic-buy. Whoever comes in has to be good enough to walk straight into the first team.
Liverpool’s recruitment team is already sifting through options. They’ve been linked with a handful of strikers who can offer both pace and clinical finishing—traits that Nunez had in flashes, but never consistently. Expect plenty of names to be thrown into the mix, especially as the Saudi Pro League continues its transfer frenzy, bidding up prices for big names in Europe.
The Saudi league’s pull has completely changed the transfer market these past two years. Clubs can now tempt players away from European giants with jaw-dropping wages, and Liverpool fans are watching this play out in real time. For Nunez, this is a fresh start, a shot at being a leading man in a league hungry for international stars.
Within the fanbase, reactions are all over the map. Some fans are nostalgic for his moments of magic—a hat-trick here, a wild finish there. Others are simply glad to see Liverpool make their money back on a player whose confidence in front of goal never quite reached Premier League standards. No matter where you stand, Nunez’s departure closes a wild chapter in Liverpool’s recent history, and the next act promises even bigger shake-ups.
- Darwin Nunez exits Liverpool for €53 million to Al Hilal, with add-ons possible up to €65 million.
- His inconsistent finishing and unpredictable style kept fans and coaches guessing.
- Liverpool will use the funds to chase a new striker, focusing on immediate improvement to the squad.
- The transfer follows Luis Diaz’s similar move, signaling a big summer overhaul up front at Liverpool.