Liverpool legend Didi Hamann has suggested that the Reds could consider a swap deal involving Darwin Nunez and Jamie Gittens this summer. The former Bayern Munich star doesn’t think such a move is “that far fetched.”
Nunez, who was signed from Benfica nearly three years ago, has had a mixed time at Anfield, scoring just seven goals in 42 appearances this season. Gittens, on the other hand, has netted 12 times in 43 games this term, despite also having periods of inconsistent form.
Hamann believes the 20-year-old, reportedly valued between $85 million and $105 million, would be a wise acquisition for his former club.
Speaking to InstantCasino, he said: “One option that could work is Jamie Gittens and Darwin Nunez in a swap deal between Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. Gittens started the season on fire and was almost carrying the team for the first three months of the season.
“Since the new manager arrived he has found things a bit hard and not started many games, because the new manager is looking for the hardest workers. He needed time to adapt but came off the bench and scored on Saturday, hopefully he will have an impact in the Champions League. But I would say that Gittens and Nunez in a swap deal is not that far fetched.”
A potential trade deal involving Nunez and Gittens wouldn’t be a straight swap, given their different positions on the pitch. Nunez is primarily a striker, while Gittens excels on the left wing. This could work well for Liverpool, considering Diogo Jota is Arne Slot’s first choice as the main striker.
(Image: Denis Doyle)
Slot tends to favour Cody Gakpo on the left, which might complicate any move for Gittens. The Dutch international has been in fine form this season, with 16 goals and six assists in 42 games, just one goal away from setting a new personal record at Anfield.
Nunez, despite his hefty transfer fee, seems to have fallen out of favour under Slot this season. The 25 year old has only started one of Liverpool’s last 14 Premier League matches and has gained a reputation for missing opportunities in front of goal.
Jurgen Klopp brought the South American to Liverpool in 2022 as a promising but raw talent. Three years later, Nunez still exhibits some of the same flaws that initially raised concerns when he arrived in England.
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On the other hand, Gittens appears to have improved significantly during his breakthrough season in Gelsenkirchen. Despite scoring only five goals in 58 senior appearances for Dortmund prior to this season, he seems to have stepped up to the plate, more than doubling his goal tally in a single season.
Gittens, a native of Reading, would be a valuable addition to Liverpool’s squad as he would contribute to the club’s homegrown quota. He spent his early years with Reading before moving on to Chelsea and Manchester City’s academies, eventually making the move to Germany in 2020.
Both Nunez and Gittens are tied to their current clubs until 2028. While Nunez may not fit the typical profile Dortmund looks for in a player, Gittens certainly does. The Englishman continues the trend of Dortmund transforming relatively unknown English talents into highly sought-after assets.
