Latest news with #DarwinNunez
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano Drops Hint on Liverpool's Striker Pursuit
Liverpool Position Themselves for Hugo Ekitike After Chelsea Cool Interest Liverpool are actively working behind the scenes to reshape their forward line this summer, with the club keen to recruit a new striker amid mounting expectations that Darwin Nunez will depart. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nunez is now 'guaranteed' to leave Anfield, and Napoli are understood to be leading the chase for the Uruguayan forward. Advertisement That exit, long anticipated by many within the club and the fanbase, has prompted Liverpool to step up plans for an elite-level replacement. Despite winning the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, there is clear intent to strengthen and evolve, particularly in the attacking third. Ekitike Interest Remains Strong Despite Price Tag Among the most frequently linked names is Hugo Ekitike. The French forward has attracted attention from several top European clubs, with Liverpool showing consistent interest in the 22-year-old since January. Reports indicate that the Reds have been monitoring Ekitike's situation closely, despite hesitation over the €100 million valuation placed on him. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg recently confirmed that Liverpool were actively competing with Chelsea for the striker's signature. Advertisement While the fee has proved a stumbling block for many suitors, Liverpool's recruitment department has not been deterred. The club continues to assess their options, with the long-term value and ceiling of Ekitike making him an attractive proposition. Romano Hints at Breakthrough in Pursuit In his latest YouTube update, Fabrizio Romano dropped a noteworthy development that could significantly affect Liverpool's path forward. Romano revealed that Chelsea are now prioritising a move for Brighton's Joao Pedro, a player who has also impressed Liverpool scouts in the past but who has not been pursued formally. Romano said: 'Chelsea are firmly interested in Joao Pedro of Brighton.' Advertisement Crucially, he added that Chelsea have cooled their interest in Hugo Ekitike, largely due to the fee involved. This shift appears to remove one of Liverpool's most significant rivals from the race, offering Arne Slot's team a potentially clear run at the player if they choose to push ahead. This update is being interpreted as a major signal that Liverpool are now favourites for Ekitike, should they decide to table a formal offer. The club's activity behind the scenes suggests that such a move is very much on the table, particularly if priority target Alexander Isak is deemed unavailable. Photo: IMAGO All Eyes on Liverpool's Next Move With the exit door now open for Nunez and Chelsea's interest in Ekitike appearing to cool, Liverpool find themselves in a promising position. The Reds have the financial firepower and Champions League football to tempt the Frenchman, and Arne Slot's project already boasts a title-winning foundation. Advertisement Romano's latest comments are not an outright confirmation, but they serve as the clearest hint yet that Liverpool have edged into pole position for one of Europe's most highly regarded young strikers. As it stands, the decision now appears to rest with Liverpool.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool make damning Darwin Nunez decision after transfer U-turn
Darwin Nunez looks likely to leave Liverpool this summer, with reigning Serie A champions Napoli interested in bringing the striker to Naples to provide support for Romelu Lukaku Liverpool have reportedly lowered their asking price for Darwin Nunez, with the Reds keen to quickly seal the forward's exit. Liverpool broke their transfer record when they forked out around £85million to sign Nunez from Benfica back in 2022. However, he has struggled for game time under Arne Slot, with the Uruguay international making just eight Premier League starts last season. He also struggled in front of goal, netting just seven times in 47 appearances across all competitions. And Slot publicly criticised Nunez's attitude and work-rate after a disappointing miss against Aston Villa in February. "For the second time in a row I wasn't happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa," Slot said at the time. "I always try to be honest with my players and be honest as I can to you guys as well where I always try to protect my players so I don't say he never worked hard. I know him differently. I know him at Villa at home where he made a 100 metre sprint and scored a goal, I know him when he came on at City at home and was pressing really aggressively and wins the ball back and we score. "But I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once but twice was a bit too much." As a result, Nunez has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield this summer and reports from Italy claim that Liverpool are willing to accept offers of around €50m (£42.7m) plus add-ons for the striker. Liverpool did reject an approach from Al-Nassr in the January transfer window, despite the Saudi Pro League side being willing to pay around £70m for Nunez. The report adds that Napoli have already made an offer worth around €43m (£37m) and are hoping to conclude a deal soon. Napoli claimed their fourth Serie A title under Antonio Conte last season and are moving to strengthen their squad ahead of their defence, having already signed Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer from Manchester City. Romelu Lukaku was their leading goalscorer last season, netting 14 league goals in 36 games, and Napoli are keen to take some of the burden off the former Chelsea and Manchester United striker. Victor Osimhen is expected to be sold by Napoli this summer, having spent last season out on loan at Galatasaray. The Turkish side are hoping to sign him permanently, but Manchester United have also been linked with the 26-year-old.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool look to Saudi Arabia for £60m striker deal
It's no secret that Liverpool are prepared to listen to offers for Darwin Nunez this summer. The Uruguayan striker has found himself out of favour under Arne Slot - making just one Premier League start in 2025 under the Dutchman. He managed only FIVE top-flight goals overall last season for the Reds - leading to speculation that his departure is all but inevitable. Advertisement Having joined the club from Benfica in 2022 for a club-record fee, it's not been a vintage spell for the 25-year-old - although he leaves a Premier League champion. Liverpool agreed to sell Darwin to Saudi club Al-Hilal earlier this summer but saw the move rejected by the player. Darwin rejects Saudi deal Although the Saudi Pro League side can offer Darwin a blank cheque, he is reportedly not keen to see his future played out in Asia. Instead, the player favours a deal with a European club befitting his talent. In Italy, Napoli are leading the chase and Atletico Madrid from Spain are also keen. Both have endeavoured to add Nunez to the ranks during the current transfer period but have so far fallen short of Liverpool's expectations. Advertisement 'Napoli and Atletico Madrid want to agree loan-to-buy deals for Nunez,' reads a report in Football Insider. Neither club values Nunez at what Liverpool require - said to be around £60m - and that is why the Merseysiders are holding out for a Saudi deal.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Liverpool 'set cut-price fee for Darwin Nunez as Napoli look to seal summer deal' - with striker on cusp of Anfield exit after bit-part role under Arne Slot
Liverpool have set a cut-price fee for Darwin Nunez as Napoli look to seal a speedy deal for the striker this summer, according to a new report. The Reds broke their transfer record to sign the ace from Benfica for £85million in 2022 but he is ready to leave after taking on a bit-part role under Arne Slot. Nunez, 25, scored seven goals last season but started just eight games in the Premier League as Slot's side went on to clinch the title in style. Saudi side Al-Nassr saw a previous enquiry to sign the Uruguay international snubbed in January, despite them being prepared to offer as much as £70m. But now, Alfredo Pedulla claims Liverpool would be willing to settle for as little as €50m (£42.7m) plus bonuses to part ways with the frontman - a drastic reduction. Napoli are said to have already tabled a package worth around €43m and they are determined to wrap up a deal early to stave off the potential of a rival swooping in. The Serie A champions are reported to have been chasing Nunez for the last month in their bid to become less reliant on Romelu Lukaku, who scored 14 goals last season. Nunez is believed to want to stay in Europe and is not chasing money. However, Mail Sport reported earlier this month that Al-Hilal are one of the Saudi clubs circling again for his signature, and they would perhaps be able to offer exorbitant wages. The striker has scored 40 goals and registered 26 assists in 143 matches since arriving at Anfield, but has reportedly given the OK to a departure this summer. Napoli boss Antonio Conte agreed to remain in charge after lengthy discussions with the club's hierarchy and he has already begun work on strengthening his squad, luring Manchester City icon Kevin De Bruyne across to Naples on a free transfer. Keen to address a lack of depth up top, Conte is exploring alternative options at No 9 and talks have also been opened with Udinese for Lorenzo Lucca. Mail Sport understands Liverpool want to sign a striker if they can afford one. Newcastle's Alexander Isak is the dream but he is likely to command an even bigger fee than the club's outlay on playmaker Florian Wirtz, who will join from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz completed the first part of his medical after touching down in the UK on Thursday, while the second half of the checks are scheduled for today. Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike is also on the Reds' radar.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Reds could let Gomez leave
Liverpool are yet to receive any bids for Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, 25, who is the latest Premier League player to be linked with a move to Serie A champions Napoli. (Liverpool Echo), externalBayer Leverkusen and Germany forward Florian Wirtz, 22, is expected to complete his club record transfer to Liverpool on Friday. (ESPN), externalNapoli and AC Milan are interested in Liverpool and Italy forward Federico Chiesa, 27. (Kiss Kiss Napoli - in Italian), externalLiverpool and England defender Joe Gomez, 28, is interesting Crystal Palace, Leeds United and West Ham and the club are open to letting him go. (TBR Football), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
