Riyadh Crescent locks in Nunez, Liverpool s frustrated scorer may go to Saudi Arabia

According to multiple media reports, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunes has contacted Saudi Arabian club Riyadh Crescent on the transfer this summer. The Uruguay international is expected to follow in Louis Dias' footsteps to leave Anfield. The report pointed out that Liverpool is ready to part ways with Nunez this summer due to failure to ensure stable playing time in the new coach Ane Slott's plan. Nunes, 26, is competent in the center and left winger. Although he made 30 appearances in the Premier League last season, he only started 8 times.

Although Slot intends to sell Nunes, Liverpool has received limited substantive offers. In 2022, Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica for the club's record of £85 million. Earlier this summer, Naples was seen as a major potential buyer, but then stepped out of the competition.

Rumors about Nunez's possible transfer to the Saudi professional league have been going on for weeks. Fabrizio Romano, a well-known transfer journalist, confirmed that Nunes has negotiated with Riyadh Crescent, who showed it the club's future plans.

Saudi local reports said that Riyadh Crescent New Moon's new coach and former Inter Milan head coach Simeone Inzaghi has listed Nunez as the team's top signing target this summer.

In fact, Liverpool rejected a high offer from Saudi Arabia (which is generally believed to be the Riyadh Crescent) for Nunez in January this year. The offer was reported to be as high as £70 million, but Liverpool believed that accepting the offer would interfere with the team's Premier League championship process.

Nuñez's transfer fee is expected to be significantly lower than the previous offer. It was previously reported that Liverpool priced it at £60 million, but Naples quickly turned to a lower price target and eventually signed Lorenzo Luca.

Riyadh Crescent is one of the few clubs capable of meeting Liverpool's asking price. However, the key to whether this deal can be achieved is Nunez himself, and his interest in joining the Saudi league is not yet clear.

It is also reported that Liverpool originally planned to sell Nunes and Louis Dias, who has transferred to Bayern Munich, to use it to break the record to introduce Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. But Liverpool is expected to abandon its pursuit of Isaac after a £110 million offer was rejected.