Ornstein: Liverpool transfer strategy shifts focus as top asset edges closer to exit | OneFootball

Nunez Exit Looms as Slot Plans Liverpool Overhaul

Liverpool’s summer transfer window is gathering pace, with early business focused on arrivals—but behind the scenes, the groundwork is being laid for a number of departures. Chief among them is Darwin Nunez, whose time at Anfield appears to be nearing its conclusion.

Slot backs new faces as rebuild begins

Arne Slot has wasted little time in stamping his identity on the squad. The Dutchman has already overseen the arrivals of Jeremie Frimpong and young Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi. More deals are in motion, with Liverpool actively pursuing moves for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

But while fresh energy is being injected into the team, there is growing acceptance at the club that the exit door will be equally active. Nunez is shaping up to be the most high-profile sale of the summer.

Nunez poised to depart after mixed spell

Having arrived at Liverpool with significant expectations, Darwin Nunez’s time on Merseyside has been inconsistent, according to David Ornstein. Despite registering double-digit goal tallies in his first two campaigns, the Uruguayan’s influence diminished in 2024–25. He scored just seven goals across all competitions and made only eight Premier League starts under Slot.

Liverpool previously resisted overtures from Saudi clubs in January, but the stance has since shifted. With interest still present in the Middle East, and European sides now circling, Liverpool believe there will be a strong market for the forward.

Atletico Madrid are among the clubs most consistently linked with Nunez, though reports suggest that Arsenal are unlikely to revive previous speculative interest.

Arsenal links unlikely to resurface

Talk of Nunez moving to Arsenal first emerged in August last year, sparked by a rumour on X (formerly Twitter) that claimed Mikel Arteta was keen on bringing the striker to the Emirates. It followed earlier online suggestions that Curtis Jones could also be on Arsenal’s radar.

At the time, those links were dismissed, with Liverpool having no desire to sell Nunez during what was Slot’s first window in charge. Now, 12 months on, that position has changed.

Strong market anticipated for summer sales

The expectation internally is that Nunez will be sold this summer, freeing up funds and space in the squad for further attacking reinforcements. Speaking recently, a trusted source confirmed the shift in stance:

It is clear Liverpool are preparing for life after Nunez. Slot’s early decisions in the market suggest a desire to reshape the frontline, and the sale of Nunez could be key to unlocking further business. With other squad changes also likely, this summer promises to be one of transition—and transformation.