Darwin Nunez’s future takes a surprising turn with an ‘unthinkable’ move on the horizon
Darwin Nunez looks set to leave Al-Hilal this summer, and a surprising transfer possibility has come up.
The Uruguay striker has had a tough time after moving to Saudi Arabia from Liverpool, even though he just won the Premier League there. At Liverpool, he never quite lived up to expectations after the club spent £85m to sign him from Benfica. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he also missed some big chances.
Nunez started strong in the Middle East, scoring four goals and making two assists in his first five games. But things changed when Karim Benzema joined Al-Hilal from rivals Al-Ittihad. Because of foreign player limits, Nunez was left out of the Saudi Pro League squad in February 2026 and could only play in the AFC Champions League. This led to a disappointing end to his season and raised questions about his future.
Reports say Nunez might have agreed to leave Al-Hilal this summer, with some even saying his contract could be ended early so he can go for free. That’s caught the attention of clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle, who want to bring him back to the Premier League.
Now, Barcelona is also interested, especially if they can’t sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, according to Mundo Deportivo. But the biggest surprise could be a return to Liverpool. The club is watching the situation closely, and new manager Andoni Iraola’s fast-paced style would suit Nunez well. Liverpool’s attack needs help this summer since their new big signing Alexander Isak struggled with form and injuries, and Hugo Ekitike will likely miss the entire season. With Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa expected to leave, Liverpool needs more forwards.
Getting Nunez back on a free transfer could be a brilliant move, especially since Liverpool paid around £46m for him just last year. He could be a great backup to keep Isak fresh and handle a tough playing schedule, plus he is comfortable playing on both wings.
Other clubs like Milan, Juventus, and Fenerbahce have also been linked to Nunez, but none would be as surprising as him returning to Anfield.