Arne Slot confirms forward's Liverpool career is OVER | OneFootball

Liverpool have got big plans in the summer transfer market. First things first; there is business to attend to with Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz.

The Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes is hoping to get deals over the line for that pair as soon as possible. Kerkez, 21, is expected to cost £40m to £45m when his transfer from Bournemouth is finally confirmed.

Wirtz, meanwhile, is going to cost MUCH more. Bayer Leverkusen were holding out for £126m for the 22-year-old playmaker and it looks like Liverpool will end up paying £116m overall.

There has also been speculation that the club will seek to add a new centre-forward in this summer’s window. Victor Osimhen, Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike are just some of the names reported to be on the shortlist.

Current strikers Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota haven’t convinced Arne Slot throughout the head coach’s first year in charge.

Arne Slot has told Nunez he's not wanted

Jota, 28, is under contract until 2027 but his consistency has been affected by injuries once again this year.

Nunez, 25, has been a target for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia but has not yet agreed a deal to leave the club.

The Uruguayan joined the Reds from Benfica back in 2022 in a record deal that could cost £85m. Last season he scored only FIVE Premier League goals and Arne Slot has opted to start the No9 only once in the league throughout 2025.

Now it’s been claimed that Slot has personally informed Nunez that he won’t be counting on him going forward.

Although the South American hitman is under contract until 2028, it now appears Liverpool are ready to cut their losses on their record signing.

“Arne Slot spoke to Nunez at length before the end of last season at which point he was told that he will not feature prominently going forward,” a report in TBR Football reads.

© IMAGO - Arne Slot Darwin Nunez Liverpool 2024-25

Darwin Nunez's next move

Nunez is reported to have rejected Al-Hilal this week - with the Saudi giants keen on having him on board for the FIFA Club World Cup. As for his next move, the report states that a European club remains Nunez’s priority.

He would also surprisingly consider moves to the United States as well as leagues in South America but the overall cost of the move would make it difficult.

- although they too would have liked him in the squad for the Club World Cup.

“The player would prefer to stay in Europe, with Atletico Madrid previously showing interest in Nunez, or move to MLS or South America but it is understood that his high-cost makes it a difficult option,” the report reads.

Liverpool would accept £60m for Nunez

Jurgen Klopp was convinced to shell out a club-record fee for Nunez having seen him star against the Reds in the Champions League for Benfica.

He’s not come close to justifying that fee - although if he leaves this summer he will do so as a Premier League champion.

The club are now apparently content to accept around £60m for Nunez, having turned down a bid of £70m from Saudi Arabia in January.

“Liverpool are said to be seeking a fee in the region above £60m, however, they may have to settle for slightly less depending on what his personal terms look like,” the report concludes.