Thoughts are beginning to turn to Liverpool’s summer transfer plans with just a couple of months remaining in the season, and Darwin Nunez could be the first player to make way in an Anfield shake-up.
Having lost the Carabao Cup final and been knocked out of the Champions League, the Reds’ sole focus will be on securing the Premier League title when they return from the international break. Despite recent disappointments, Arne Slot should finish his first season with a piece of silverware, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta already seemingly admitting defeat in the race to become champions.
That undoubtedly represents a superb first campaign as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, but there is clearly some work for the Liverpool boss and sporting director Richard Hughes to do in the summer transfer window.
Recent games have shown some clear areas where the Reds still need to add some quality, not least up top. Although Mohamed Salah has been in scintillating form, the same can’t be said for some of his fellow forwards, and that has been all-too apparent when the Egyptian’s usual levels have dipped.
Liverpool is in clear need of an upgrade on the likes of Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz as its No.9. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez have both been linked with moves to Anfield, while even Harry Kane has been touted as a wildcard option.
As part of Liverpool’s efforts to refresh its attack, it seems a good bet that Nunez will have to make way, and according to Football Insider, he will actually be the first player to leave Anfield this summer.
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It’s claimed that the 25-year-old is unhappy after being denied a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in January, while he has also been publicly criticized by Slot for some of his performances in recent months.
The suggestion is that Slot is not happy with Nunez, and that an exit will be given the green light this summer. A replacement will be sought, with Isak among the club’s top targets, while Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres has also been eyed up, although Manchester United is said to be leading the race there.
Liverpool.com says: It does feel somewhat inevitable that Liverpool will have to cut its losses on Nunez and offload him this summer. We’re three seasons into his time at Anfield, and while he has improved his work rate, he still looks exactly the same player in front of goal.
Simply put, the Reds need a much more reliable option up front, and it only makes sense to sell Nunez in order to help fund a potential deal, so getting him out of the door as early as possible is a smart move.
