Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr came very close to signing Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez in the January transfer window before the Reds rejected the deal, according to Givemesport.
Al-Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, were reportedly ready to make a big-money offer for the 25-year-old Uruguayan forward, but Liverpool decided against selling their star striker midway through the season.
📊 Player Profile & Career Stats
Name: Darwin Núñez
Age: 25 (Born June 24, 1999)
Nationality: Uruguay
Position: Striker
Height: 187 cm
Current Club: Liverpool
🔹 2024/25 Season Performance (Liverpool)
- Premier League Appearances: 25
- Goals: 12
- Assists: 6
- Shots on Target per 90 mins: 2.9
- Big Chances Created: 9
- Conversion Rate: 18.2%
📈 Career Record (All Clubs)
- Total Appearances: 200
- Goals: 88
- Assists: 30
- International Caps (Uruguay): 26 (9 goals)
🔎 Why Did Al-Nassr Want Núñez?
🇸🇦 Saudi Pro League’s Push for Elite Players
- Al-Nassr want to build a team around global superstars, and Núñez was one of their key January targets.
- The club already signed players like Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Núñez was seen as a marquee addition.
⚽ Replacing Ageing Strikers
- Anderson Talisca and Abderrazak Hamdallah are in their 30s, and Al-Nassr wanted a younger, dynamic forward.
- Núñez’s pace, finishing, and physicality fit the league’s high-intensity style.
💰 Massive Financial Package
- Reports suggest Al-Nassr were ready to offer Núñez a huge salary to convince him to leave Liverpool.
- Saudi clubs have successfully lured top stars like Neymar, Benzema, and Kante with massive wages.
⚖️ How Does Núñez Compare to Saudi Pro League Strikers?
| Player (2024/25) | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Shots on Target per 90 | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) | 25 | 12 | 6 | 2.9 | 18.2% |
| Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) | 22 | 18 | 4 | 3.5 | 22.8% |
| Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) | 21 | 9 | 5 | 2.2 | 16.4% |
💡 Analysis: Núñez’s stats indicate he would have thrived in the Saudi Pro League, but Liverpool were unwilling to lose him.
💰 Transfer Offer & Liverpool’s Stance
- Reported Offer: Estimated €100m+
- Liverpool’s Decision: The club refused to sell due to Núñez’s importance to the squad.
- Future Possibility: Al-Nassr may return with an improved bid in the summer.
Despite interest, Liverpool view Núñez as a key player, and any future move would likely depend on who replaces Jurgen Klopp as manager.
👀 Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
💬 “No way Liverpool were selling Núñez in January. He’s getting better every game.” – @LFC_Fan
💬 “Saudi clubs won’t stop. Expect them to return in the summer.” – @TransferWatch
💬 “€100m+ is tempting, but we need a proper replacement first.” – @LiverpoolTalk
🏆 Verdict: Will Al-Nassr Return for Núñez in the Summer?
Al-Nassr remain very interested in signing Núñez, and a summer bid is highly likely.
Liverpool’s decision will depend on their new manager, squad rebuild plans, and whether Núñez continues to develop into a world-class striker.
📢 What do you think? Should Liverpool cash in on Núñez if Saudi Arabia returns with a massive offer? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
