Report: Mourinho’s Turkish Giants Target Out-of-Favour Liverpool Forward This Summer | OneFootball

Nunez, Mourinho and a Summer Tug-of-War

Mourinho Eyes Darwin Nunez for Fenerbahce Move

There’s something curious, almost cyclical, about the way football reshapes players’ trajectories. Just as Darwin Nunez began to settle under the bright lights of Anfield, a new chapter may already be forming — this time penned in Istanbul, not Liverpool.

According to Fanatik, Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Fenerbahce, has identified the Uruguayan forward as a priority target as the Turkish side prepares for a radical reshuffle. Nunez, still just 25, finds himself the subject of admiring glances once again — not from Europe’s elite, but from a club seeking to re-establish its own power in a league suddenly flush with ambition.

Nunez’s Inconsistency Casting Doubt Over His Future

At Liverpool, Nunez has become a paradox. 33 goals in 96 appearances tells one story — a respectable return by most standards. Yet under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, consistency has been the missing piece. His movement has always been unselfish, his presence raw and tireless. But for all his endeavour, the end product too often flattered to deceive.

It’s this inconsistency that has allowed the door to remain slightly ajar. While names like Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz dominate transfer columns, outgoings like Tsimikas and now Nunez may quietly shape the narrative of Liverpool’s summer. With interest from Atletico Madrid, Napoli, AC Milan and RB Leipzig, and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal reportedly preparing a €60 million bid, it’s not just Fenerbahce watching developments closely.

Fenerbahce’s Bold Ambition Under Mourinho

Mourinho’s arrival in Turkey adds a new dimension to a club long in search of its own modern identity. With Edin Dzeko and Cenk Tosun expected to depart, and En-Nesyri potentially moving on, Nunez offers a compelling fit: a blend of tenacity, unpredictability and just enough chaos to frighten defenders.

Mourinho’s ideal remains Dusan Vlahovic, but if that door closes, Nunez could become more than a backup — he could be Mourinho’s next project.

Whether through a loan or a permanent deal, Fenerbahce’s interest should not be dismissed as fanciful. Turkish clubs are no longer waiting quietly in the wings — they’re stepping forward, chequebook in hand.

A Defining Summer Ahead for Liverpool’s Frontline

The 2025 summer window, bracketed by FIFA Club World Cup deadlines and domestic demands, is shaping up to be transformative. While the marquee incomings promise headlines, the real story might lie in who departs. Liverpool’s willingness to listen to offers — not just for fringe players, but for big-name talents like Nunez — signals a shift under Slot.

This isn’t just a squad refresh. It’s a philosophical reorientation. The chaos Nunez once embodied might no longer fit. Mourinho, though, may see chaos not as a flaw — but as a foundation.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a fan’s perspective, the idea of losing Darwin Nunez is bittersweet. There’s frustration, no doubt. For all the hype that followed his arrival, the reality is he never quite lived up to the billing week in, week out. Yes, he scored goals. Yes, he put in a shift. But there was always a sense that he was one game away from exploding… and then it never quite happened.

But giving up on him now? That feels risky. He’s only 25. If Mourinho gets a tune out of him — if Nunez suddenly becomes a 25-goal striker in Turkey or Spain — we’ll be left asking what Liverpool could’ve done differently. Especially if he goes for a cut-price deal while others around Europe continue to spend extravagantly.

If it’s a big offer from Al-Hilal, that’s one thing. But letting him go on loan or a discount feels like it could backfire. As ever, Liverpool must strike the right balance between evolution and regret.