Darwin Nunez appears increasingly likely to end his troubled spell in Saudi Arabia and return to English football, with Newcastle United emerging as the frontrunner among a group of Premier League clubs tracking the Uruguayan striker.
The former Liverpool forward agreed to terminate his contract with Al-Hilal after being effectively frozen out of the squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema, who took his registration spot in February. The situation deteriorated rapidly after that point and Nunez has not featured in a matchday squad since.
Chelsea and Juventus have also been credited with interest, but the Newcastle pursuit carries the most credibility at this stage. The Magpies monitored Nunez dating back to his Benfica days before Liverpool swooped ahead of them in 2022, and a renewed approach this summer would represent years of patient tracking finally converting into action. The striker will be available as a free agent, removing the usual transfer fee barrier.
His market value has dropped considerably since the peak years at Liverpool, with TransferFeed estimating his current valuation at around €35 million, down from €45 million in late 2025. The Al-Hilal transfer fee of €53 million paid last August now looks like an expensive misjudgement, both for the club and for Nunez personally, whose development stalled in a league that did not suit his high-energy, pressing-based game.
The Anfield chapter produced mixed results. Nunez’s pace, physical presence and work rate were undeniable attributes, but inconsistency and a series of high-profile missed chances made him a divisive figure among Liverpool supporters. The Saudi move was positioned as a fresh start, but the squad dynamics at Al-Hilal following Benzema’s arrival essentially ended the experiment before it properly began.
Newcastle’s interest makes practical sense. The club is building toward genuine Champions League contention and a proven international striker on a free transfer, regardless of the baggage attached, represents attractive value in a market where elite forwards command fees upward of €80 million. For Nunez, the Premier League would offer the competitive environment and tactical demands that arguably suit him better than any other league in world football.
Chelsea are the other credible contender, with Marcel Desailly publicly backing the idea of a move to Stamford Bridge and drawing a comparison to Dennis Bergkamp’s redemptive time at Arsenal. Former players advocating publicly for signings carries limited sway in modern transfers, but the logic behind the Chelsea link is sound given their need for attacking reinforcement and Nunez’s familiarity with the English game.
Whether the 26-year-old can rediscover his best form after a difficult 18 months is the key question any buying club must answer before committing. The potential is clearly still there, and the right environment could unlock a player who was, at his peak moments at Liverpool, genuinely world class in transition and link play. The market will price him accordingly given the uncertainty, but the ceiling justifies the gamble.
Juventus’s interest has also been confirmed, with reports from El Observador stating the Italian club sees Nunez as a viable option should they miss out on other striker targets. That European alternative gives the forward leverage in any negotiations with Premier League sides, since clubs will know they are not the only option on the table.
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