Football Today
·15 Juli 2025
Darwin Nunez wanted Napoli move, but Liverpool price tag sends him to Saudi radar

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Yahoo sportsFootball Today
·15 Juli 2025
Napoli have officially withdrawn from the race to sign Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, ending weeks of speculation over a potential move for the Uruguay international.
Napoli had made Nunez their top target under new manager Antonio Conte and had held several rounds of discussions in a bid to strike a deal.
However, Liverpool stood firm on their valuation, prompting the Italian club to move on and finalise a deal for Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca instead.
Nunez, who scored in Liverpool’s recent pre-season outing against Preston North End, had been keen on a switch to Italy, where he believed he could reignite his career after a challenging campaign under Arne Slot.
The striker was used sparingly in the second half of last season and fell down the pecking order, with Luis Diaz frequently preferred in a central role during Liverpool’s title-winning run.
Despite his desire to join Napoli, Nunez now finds himself at a crossroads, with significant interest emerging from Saudi Arabia.
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have made enquiries, and although no bid has yet been accepted, the expectation remains that the striker will leave Anfield this summer.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Nunez is still likely to move on, even after Napoli’s withdrawal, adding that Saudi clubs remain “keen” on securing his services.
Conte had hoped to pair the Uruguayan with Romelu Lukaku in a new-look attack at Napoli, but the Italian side refused to meet Liverpool’s valuation, citing the fee as too high.
The collapse of the deal has dealt a blow to Liverpool’s plans in the market, as the Reds had been hoping to use funds from the Nunez sale to pursue a replacement, with Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak both linked in recent weeks.
Nunez’s situation now enters a critical phase, with Liverpool eager to resolve his future before the end of the window.
If a move to Saudi Arabia fails to materialise, the striker could yet remain at Anfield for another season, though both player and club would prefer a parting of ways.