Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest could be in the market for new strikers this summer.
There’s scope for both the Magpies and the Reds to bolster their attacking ranks at the end of the season.
Callum Wilson is likely to move on from Newcastle as his contract draws down, while Alexander Isak could be targeted by clubs wanting to sign him.
Meanwhile, Forest have been very reliant on Chris Wood up front, but this leaves them susceptible in case of injury or suspension.
Both Newcastle and Forest have been linked with Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, a player who continues to split opinion among Anfield fans.
Liverpool open to selling Darwin Nunez but only for the right price
Nunez was a key player for Liverpool under previous manager Jurgen Klopp but has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in Arne Slot’s starting XI.
The Uruguay international has failed to make an impact when handed opportunities by Slot, with just seven goals across all competitions to his name this term.
TEAMtalk has reported that Newcastle are keeping tabs on Nunez ahead of the summer transfer window, while Forest are considering a move for the Liverpool man.
Both Premier League teams are set to be up against Atletico Madrid, who have started working out the financial side of things to figure out whether they can make a deal.
The report says Liverpool are willing to sell Nunez, but not at a low price – and with his contract running until 2028, their hand would be strong in negotiations.
What Alan Shearer has said about Darwin Nunez
Nunez continues to divide opinion at Liverpool, with some claiming he’s simply too wasteful up front and others appreciating what Nunez does as an ‘agent of chaos’.
However, this lack of consensus over Nunez’s suitability for Liverpool means his future remains uncertain, and it doesn’t look as though Slot has been convinced by him.
“Liverpool are going to need a centre-forward,” Newcastle legend Alan Shearer recently said on The Rest Is Football when Liam Delap’s name was put forward as a suggestion for Liverpool to sign.
“They might try and move Nunez on and bring someone else into that position. There will be big football clubs after Delap I’m sure of that.”
Shearer said of Nunez on another episode: “You see him miss the number of chances that he does.
“Unfortunately, for him and for Liverpool, but he’s never going to be a natural finisher.
“Very erratic. He never looks composed when he’s about to have his shot or confident, and he always looks off balance.
“I suppose when your confidence is shot, then you are off balance, I guess. But yeah, what an absolute sitter, unfortunately.”
Nunez is clearly a top talent, as shown by his time at Benfica, and maybe it’s just a case of Liverpool’s style of play not suiting him.
A chance of scenery would do him the world of good, and if Newcastle or Forest can get him firing on all cylinders again, he’d be a lethal weapon.
Cody Gakpo previously said Nunez is probably the fastest Liverpool player, while Mohamed Salah called Nunez “really, really fast”.
Combine that with a style of play that suits him and a way for him to become prolific once again, and who knows just how far his new club will go.
