Liverpool Agree to Darwin Núñez Sale to Al-Hilal: Club Set for Financial Loss on Record Signing

Liverpool have agreed to sell Darwin Núñez to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal. Although he had been the subject of transfer speculation throughout the summer, Núñez’s transfer saga is now nearing its conclusion. After two seasons at Anfield, the Uruguayan striker is set to join Al-Hilal, the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League.

The deal, first reported by Liverpool.com, is valued at £46 million (~€53m / $61.5m) upfront, with performance-related bonuses potentially increasing the total to around £56.6 million.

While the move is pending final paperwork and personal terms, Núñez is expected to travel to Germany to join Al–Hilal’s pre-season training camp once completed. His departure comes as Liverpool reshapes its forward options under new manager Arne Slot, while also accepting a substantial financial hit.

Liverpool signed Núñez from Benfica in 2022 for an initial $87 million (€75m), with a further $29 million (€25m) in potential add-ons. According to Portuguese reports cited by Liverpool.com, the club ultimately paid around $96.7 million after avoiding an appearance-based clause earlier this year. Even if all Al–Hilal bonuses are triggered, the Reds will incur a £20–40 million net loss depending on how many add-ons are paid.

From record signing to rotational role: Darwin Núñez’s Liverpool journey

Núñez arrived at Anfield after scoring 34 goals for Benfica in the 2021/22 season, with his pace and physicality seen as ideal for Liverpool’s attacking system. He enjoyed a bright start, scoring in the Community Shield and delivering important goals in the Premier League and Champions League.

However, inconsistency in finishing and occasional lapses in decision-making prevented him from becoming an undisputed starter. In games where Liverpool needed precision in the final third, Núñez’s tendency to rush chances often drew criticism from pundits and fans alike.

Liverpool sell Darwin Núñez: Under Slot’s management last season

Darwin Núñez impressed in pre‑season, netting five goals—including a hat‑trick against Stoke City and goals against Preston and Athletic Bilbao—but he failed to re-establish himself as a regular starter as the campaign progressed.

Rotation and tactical changes pushed him down the pecking order.

Earlier in the window, Napoli and Milan explored moves but interest cooled due to valuation differences. Interest from Saudi Arabia intensified in July, and while Liverpool.com noted Núñez initially wanted to stay in Europe, Al-Hilal’s proposal eventually won him over.

Darwin Núñez in Klopp’s final Liverpool season

Núñez’s decline in prominence began during Klopp’s final season, with Slot inheriting a player who was already more of a rotation option. In Jürgen Klopp’s final season as Liverpool manager, the striker found himself in and out of the side, often starting on the bench for crucial matches. While Klopp praised his work rate and willingness to press, he also hinted at the need for “calmness” in front of goal.

His omission from the starting XI in key fixtures — including a decisive run-in for Champions League qualification — signaled a shift in trust. By the time Arne Slot took over, Núñez’s role had already been reduced to that of a rotation option rather than a guaranteed starter.

Al-Hilal’s star-studded project lures Liverpool striker

Al-Hilal’s roster already includes marquee names such as Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Kalidou Koulibaly. The Saudi Pro League champions are leading the league’s aggressive recruitment drive to sign top-level talent from Europe — part of a broader effort to raise the league’s international profile and competitiveness.

For Núñez, the move provides:

• A leading role in a competitive but less physically demanding league.

• A significant salary increase that reflects his market value.

• The chance to reset his career trajectory and play in a team built around his strengths.

For Liverpool, it is an opportunity to free up wages, create squad space, and reinvest in a player who better fits Arne Slot’s long-term vision for a fluid, clinical front line.

Saudi Pro League’s growing influence on transfers

The Saudi Pro League’s investment strategy has already reshaped the global transfer market. By offering lucrative contracts and paying substantial fees, Saudi clubs have lured established stars such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent windows.

For European clubs, these moves create both challenges and opportunities:

• Challenges: The risk of losing prime-age players to a non-European league.

• Opportunities: The ability to offload high earners and generate funds for reinvestment.

Núñez’s move fits into this trend, marking another instance where Saudi financial power has unlocked a high-profile transfer that might not have happened under traditional market conditions.

Funds from Darwin Núñez sale aimed at Alexander Isak pursuit

The £46m cash injection could help Liverpool reignite their pursuit of Alexander Isak. According to Liverpool.com, the Reds had a $146 million bid rejected by Newcastle United last week, signalling their determination to secure a high-profile replacement.

Liverpool’s chances could be influenced by:

• Manchester United nearing a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, potentially altering Newcastle’s plans.

• The added flexibility provided by the Núñez sale, which might allow an improved and more structured offer for Isak.

If Newcastle become more open to negotiation, Liverpool could make a decisive move before the transfer window closes. Arne Slot is understood to favour a forward who combines movement, link-up play, and a clinical edge — qualities Isak has shown in abundance.

Liverpool sell Darwin Núñez: Anfield farewell

If Liverpool’s 4–1 friendly win over Athletic Club at Anfield on August 4, 2025 was indeed his last appearance for the club, Núñez signed off with a goal in front of the home fans. In total, he departs with 40 goals in 143 appearances across all competitions and a Community Shield winner’s medal.

His Liverpool career was marked by flashes of brilliance — quick runs in behind, powerful finishes, and relentless pressing — but also inconsistency and missed chances that frustrated supporters. Signed for a club-record fee, his performances often divided opinion, making him one of the most debated players in recent club history.

An ending that opens new doors for Liverpool and Núñez

Núñez’s exit is less a failure than a strategic pivot under Arne Slot. The decision that Liverpool sell Darwin Núñez — even at a financial loss — reflects the club’s willingness to prioritise tactical fit and squad balance over sentiment or transfer pride.

For Núñez, Al-Hilal offers a starring role in a star-studded project and the chance to rebuild his reputation in one of football’s fastest-growing markets. For Liverpool, the sale injects valuable funds into the budget, creating room to target a forward capable of consistent, decisive contributions.

In the modern game, such partings are not just about closing a chapter — they are about creating the space for the next one to be written.