Darwin Núñez’s time at Liverpool has come to an end, with the Premier League champions agreeing a £53 million deal to sell the striker to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Liverpool Agree £53m Deal to Sell Darwin Núñez to Al-Hilal as They Target Newcastle's Alexander Isak





The Uruguay international had made his intentions clear earlier in the summer, informing Liverpool officials of his desire to move on from Anfield. His decision to leave had in fact been communicated as far back as January, when he was again the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia. However, Liverpool chose to retain him for the remainder of the campaign to aid their ultimately successful title pursuit.
Napoli had submitted an offer for Núñez in June, proposing a fee just over £45 million to be paid in instalments beginning in the summer of 2026. That approach was swiftly rejected by the Merseyside club.
To his credit, Núñez returned to pre-season training with a positive attitude and produced several encouraging displays, including a behind-closed-doors hat-trick against Stoke City.
Nevertheless, with first-team opportunities set to be limited, Liverpool have now agreed terms with Al-Hilal, structuring a deal that includes a number of performance-related bonuses should Núñez excel in Saudi Arabia.
Núñez joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 for a guaranteed £75 million, with the fee potentially rising to a club-record £84 million based on performance clauses. He made a promising start, scoring against Manchester City in the Community Shield and finding the net on his Premier League debut against Fulham. However, his momentum was stalled by a red card on his Anfield debut against Crystal Palace.
Despite inconsistencies, Núñez remained a fan favourite. His contributions last season proved important, notably a brace against Brentford in January that played a vital role in Liverpool’s title push.
Following his departure, Liverpool are now expected to intensify their search for a new striker. Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has emerged as the top target, although the Reds are only prepared to pursue a move if the terms are deemed fair and realistic.
Negotiations could prove difficult, as Isak remains at odds with senior figures at St James’s Park. However, a move to Anfield is by no means guaranteed, with Newcastle’s stance expected to be firm despite the Sweden international's desire for a transfer.