Liverpool's Darwin Núñez has emerged as a target for two European powerhouses, Napoli and Atlético Madrid, as speculation continues regarding the Uruguayan’s potential departure from Anfield. Despite his crucial contributions to the club during their Premier League title-winning campaign, Núñez has struggled to secure a regular starting spot under manager Arne Slot.

The 25-year-old joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 for a record-breaking transfer fee. Though he has scored 40 goals in 140 appearances for the Reds, he has yet to fully justify his hefty price tag.

Under Slot, Núñez has only been able to start in eight league matches, often finding himself behind Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota in the pecking order.

With growing uncertainty surrounding his future at Liverpool, rumours of a move away from the club have intensified. Italian publication Corriere dello Sport has reported that Serie A side Napoli are considering making a move for the striker.

Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is reportedly eager to strengthen the attack ahead of the new season, as manager Antonio Conte sets his sights on winning the Serie A title. Despite already having options like Romelu Lukaku, Conte views Núñez as an ideal addition to bolster Napoli’s forward line, building on their impressive previous season. The club is also said to be keeping tabs on other attacking targets, including Lille's Jonathan David, FC Porto's Samuel Omorodion, and PSG’s Lee Kang-In.

However, Napoli is not the only club interested in Núñez. Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, is also reportedly monitoring the situation, hoping to secure the Liverpool striker to enhance their own attacking options, which currently include the likes of Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Alexander Sörloth.

There are also rumours that Argentinian club River Plate and a Saudi Pro League side could potentially be destinations for Núñez, should he decide to leave Liverpool.

If Núñez were to move to Napoli, he could find himself playing alongside Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who has also caught the attention of the Italian club. De Bruyne, whose contract with City is set to expire at the end of the season, is expected to receive offers from top-tier clubs, with Napoli reportedly keen to bring him to Serie A. Sky Sports has revealed that Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna recently visited Manchester to discuss the club's plans with De Bruyne, who is reportedly open to the idea of joining Napoli.

Although De Bruyne was previously linked with a surprising move to Liverpool, those reports are now believed to be wide of the mark. Arne Slot is focused on strengthening his squad but is likely to target younger players with potential for growth, rather than signing the Belgian veteran, who is entering the twilight of his career.