Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez appears poised to seal another move only 12 months after departing Anfield to sign for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
The Uruguayan international will not be reuniting with Mohamed Salah this summer and is expected to finalize a switch to Al Diriyah. Sources indicate the transfer is nearing completion after the 27-year-old considered proposals from both European and Saudi clubs.
Nunez spent just over a year at Al Hilal following his £46m transfer from Liverpool, but his registration was terminated for the latter half of the previous campaign when Karim Benzema joined the club. He found the net nine times across 24 matches during his tenure with Al Hilal.
Trabzonspor, who secured Salah on a free transfer following his Anfield departure, and Besiktas, who have acquired Leandro Trossard and Dusan Vlahovic this summer, had both been linked with Nunez. Reports from the BBC suggest former Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman, now at Al Diriyah, was instrumental in advancing the negotiations.
Earlier this year, Nunez confessed he longed for Anfield and Liverpool’s fanbase. In an interview with AUFTV, he acknowledged the emotional connection he maintained with the club and its supporters. He noted they made him and his family feel truly valued, and that during his most challenging personal periods, the supporters consistently offered affection and encouragement, which proved invaluable to him. He expressed clear longing for Liverpool, emphasising how much he missed the club and its people.
The forward also reached out to fellow Uruguayan international Ronald Araujo before the defender’s move to Liverpool was officially announced. Nunez shared a public message wishing his friend well in the transition. He wrote that he hoped his teammate would thrive in this next chapter, noting Araujo was joining a fantastic club with remarkable people and fans who would embrace him from the very first day. He expressed his affection, saying he loved his friend very much.
Araujo, currently on loan from Barcelona, later spoke about their relationship after completing his move to Liverpool, recalling how Nunez frequently spoke about the club’s appeal. He thanked his friend publicly for the message, describing Nunez as someone he had known and played alongside since childhood. The summer signing acknowledged that Nunez had always spoken very highly of Liverpool, noting that people would constantly call out his name whenever they were out together. Araujo shared that Nunez had recounted how supporters would recognise him and chant his name with enthusiasm.