Darwin Nunez agrees Al-Hilal exit, Premier League return possible after Saudi setback | OneFootball

Darwin Nunez is set to end his brief Al-Hilal stint after agreeing to leave at the end of the season, the former Liverpool striker having been frozen out by a registration squeeze.

The 26-year-old joined in August for £46m, $63m, and has been earning about £400,000 a week, yet he has barely featured since February. He is prioritising his playing career over financial gain after being effectively sidelined. Referi reports he has remained professional, but the lack of minutes has cost him a starting spot under Marcelo Bielsa for Uruguay.

His situation deteriorated with the January arrival of Karim Benzema. Saudi Pro League rules permit only eight foreign players born before 2003 in a 25-man squad, and Al-Hilal chose to omit Nunez to register the French forward.

Before being dropped from the matchday pool, Nunez returned six goals and four assists in 16 league outings, then trained away from the squad for months.

The move to Saudi Arabia followed a polarising three-year spell at Liverpool after a Benfica deal that could have reached £85m. He contributed to a Premier League title but inconsistency and high-profile misses marked stretches of his time, and his work rate drew criticism from Arne Slot as his Anfield career wound down.

A Premier League return could now be on the cards as he looks to rebuild. Chelsea have been linked, while Juventus are also monitoring, potential platforms to prove he can still operate at the top level in Europe.

Source: Goal.com