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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Journalist: Liverpool Star ‘Will Leave This Summer' in £50m Deal
Darwin Núñez Set for Liverpool Exit as Napoli Interest Grows Liverpool's summer transfer window could be set for a significant twist with Darwin Núñez expected to leave Anfield, just two years after arriving as the club's record signing. In an insightful conversation with Dave Davis for Anfield Index, journalist Lewis Steele shared revealing details about the forward's likely departure, shedding light on interest from Napoli and the financial realities surrounding the move. Napoli's Pursuit and European Interest Napoli appear to be leading the chase for Núñez. According to Steele, 'As far as I'm aware there has been no official bid or approaches for Nunez at this stage, but it seems that Napoli are keen.' He went on to add, 'I've seen some Italian reports that claim he is Antonio Conte's number one target, so I'll believe them.' Advertisement That endorsement from Italy, coupled with continued interest from Saudi Pro League clubs and Atlético Madrid, suggests a multi-club tussle could emerge. While no concrete bids have yet materialised, the groundwork for Núñez's exit seems to be well under way. Valuation Woes and Financial Realities Liverpool's valuation of the Uruguayan striker has raised eyebrows. The club is reportedly seeking between £65 million and £70 million for Núñez, but as Steele explains, that may not reflect his current market value. 'Nunez will leave this summer and Liverpool want around £65-70million for him, but I can't see them getting that. They will do well to get £40-50m, I think.' For a player who arrived from Benfica with high expectations and an £85 million price tag including add-ons, that projected sale figure is a marked drop. Yet, it mirrors the inconsistent performances that have defined Núñez's time at Anfield. While he offered explosive pace and chaotic energy, his lack of composure in front of goal and fit within the system made him a divisive figure during Jürgen Klopp's final years and now into Arne Slot's early reign. Photo: IMAGO Slot's Rebuild and Forward Planning The potential sale of Núñez is not just about recouping money. It's about reshaping Liverpool's attacking identity under Premier League-winning manager Arne Slot. Steele touched on the broader context of squad rebuilding, saying: 'They may have to take a little bit of a hit on this one and Liverpool need to try and make some money back because they've already spent an awful lot of money and as far as I'm aware, there's going to be more money spent in the upcoming weeks and months.' Advertisement Slot's ability to lead Liverpool to the title in his first season suggests that he has a clear vision for the squad. Whether that includes a new central striker or a tactical shift in attacking play, Núñez's departure seems increasingly inevitable as the club look to evolve. Strategic Exit or Misjudged Investment? While some fans may lament what Núñez could have become, others will see this as a necessary reset. It is no longer just about talent but about system fit and squad harmony. With Liverpool prioritising smart recruitment and sustainability, cutting losses on Núñez may not be a failure, but a necessary course correction. As Steele concluded in his discussion with Anfield Index, there is still business to be done. The next few weeks could prove decisive, both for Núñez and for Liverpool's next chapter under Slot.
Metro
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Shearer makes Alexander-Arnold prediction after 'disappointing' Real debut
Alan Shearer has 'no doubt' that Trent Alexander-Arnold will bounce back after his 'disappointing' debut for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup. However, the legendary striker is not convinced that Real can win the tournament after they struggled in their opening game in the USA. Following his highly-divisive Liverpool exit, Alexander-Arnold make his much-anticipated debut for Los Blancos on Wednesday against Al-Hilal. The Spanish giants were expected to ease to victory against the Saudi Pro League side but were held to a 1-1 draw after Federico Valverde had an injury-time penalty saved. Withdrawn after 65 minutes, the England right-back was solid yet unspectacular, struggling to make an offensive impact, though Shearer doesn't believe there's any cause for concern. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'I think it's clearly going to take time to get used to a new manager, new sort of ideas, what he wants to do,' the former England captain said on The Rest is Football podcast. 'Obviously, Trent is going to take time to understand and to get used to his surroundings, that's only normal. But he'll have bigger and better days than that. 'I think he'll be pleased that it's out of the way. He may be disappointed that he didn't do so well, the team didn't do so well, didn't get the right result. It'll get better there's no doubt.' The Al-Hilal draw also marked the debut of Real's new manager Xabi Alonso, who replaces Carlo Ancelotti after winning an invincible league and cup double with Bayer Leverkusen. Real went into the revamped Club World Cup as the favourites, with Shearer adding: 'They obviously want to do well and go deep into the tournament and win this tournament. 'Incredible day. To have made my debut for Real Madrid, it's something that I think almost every player dreams of. To be able to achieve that is huge for me,' the 26-year-old told DAZN after the Al-Hilal draw. 'Of course, there's some disappointment in there to have not won the game. 'That's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player, to want and expect to win every game we play in. 'We're disappointed not to have done that, but there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half.' 'Whether they will have enough to win it, whether he [Alonso] will have enough time to get his ideas across to win it is another thing. I suspect maybe not. More Trending 'But they've hired him for how successful he's been. One of the big things that he has to get across is how he can manage the big superstars, the big egos at one of if not the biggest football club in the world.' Fellow England legend Gary Lineker concurred, saying: 'It'll be interesting to see if a relatively inexperienced manager, although a successful manager, can stand up, because you've got some big players there with huge egos and you've got to get them to buy into something. 'He has a certain way of playing, I'm sure he's flexible on that and you have to make do with what you've got. But it will be fascinating to see how it pans out, just in this tournament let alone the season to come.' Alexander-Arnold will next be in action when Real Madrid take on Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday before their final Group H clash against Red Bull Salzburg of Austria. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Cole Palmer makes surprise admission as he explains shirt number change MORE: Club World Cup match suspended again with fans told to leave stands and 'get inside' MORE: Timothy Weah reveals Juventus stars were forced into 'weird' Donald Trump meeting
Daily Mirror
11 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.
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kevin Nisbet on Hearts transfer radar as Lawrence Shankland alternatives eyed and McInnes makes admission
The Jambos are desperately trying to get their captain tied down on a new contract but might be forced to look elsewhere Derek McInnes insists a decision from Lawrence Shankland on his Hearts future is now a matter of urgency - with the Jambos keeping tabs on Kevin Nisbet as a potential alternative. Gorgie captain Shanks is out of contract at Tynecastle and is yet to accept a new deal as he also considers other options available to him, with West Brom and two Saudi Pro League teams keen. McInnes, who hosts former club Aberdeen in a mouthwatering Monday night clash for his first Premiership game in charge, believes Hearts is still Shankland's best bet but admits a decision needs to be made "sooner rather than later.' And if they fail in a bid to convince Shankland to remain in Gorgie, then his Scotland team-mate - and ex-Hibs man – Nisbet is under consideration. Nisbet has returned to Millwall following his Scottish Cup-winning loan spell at Aberdeen last season. The 28-year-old is going into the final year of his deal at the New Den as Alex Neil assesses his future. McInnes is a long-time admirer of Nisbet and is keeping an eye on his situation in south London as Shankland talks continue. On Shankland, the Hearts boss told Sky Sports: 'I'm in constant dialogue with Lawrence, spoke to his agents as well several times through the last few weeks but Lawrence has obviously got a lot to consider. "We think we're a really strong option for him, whether we're the best option in Lawrence's eyes we've got to wait and see but there'll come a point really that we need to draw a line under it and Lawrence has got to look at looking after him and I've got to look after Hearts. "Hopefully we can find a solution because he is a player that I think can really thrive with us at Hearts. He's shown in the time here how important he is and you try and not let players like that leave the door without putting up the best fight you can and we're in the fight for him. "I believe we're a really strong option for Lawrence, I believe we're the best option for him at this moment, he's got the World Cup to try and get involved in at the end of next season. 'There are loads of reasons why Lawrence could see this as a good option for him. Hopefully as I say we're his best option and at the minute we're in the fight to keep him. "I always feel deadlines are not always healthy and sometimes can be a bit antagonistic but there's been enough conversations with Lawrence. "There'll come a point where he has to move on and try and secure his future and likewise I need to make sure that we secure our squad going forward but we're not at that stage yet, but sooner rather than later really to try and get that resolved because I want clarity in what I'm dealing with and I'm sure Lawrence is wanting clarity on his future as well.'
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup: Mbappe hospitalised with acute stomach issues, doubtful for remaing group stage matches
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been admitted to hospital for stomach issues on the sidelines of the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States of America. 'Our player Kylian Mbappé has acute gastroenteritis and has been hospitalized for various tests and treatment,' the La Liga side said in a statement. The France international was also absent from Madrid's matchday squad for its group stage match against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. A club source told Reuters that Mbappe, who was taken to hospital on Wednesday, had been isolated from his teammates since Tuesday and was considered out of the group stage of the Club World Cup. Coach Xabi Alonso hinted on Wednesday that Mbappe was doubtful for Real's next game, against Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday in Charlotte, NC. Mbappe joined the Los Blancos from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the 2024-25 season. He went on to score 31 goals in 34 games in La Liga while he netted seven in 14 appearances in the UEFA Champions League. In the revamped Club World Cup, Real Madrid is placed in Group H alongside Al Hila, RB Salzburg, and Pachuca. Austrian side Salzburg is currently leading the group after beating Pachuca 2-1. (With inputs from Reuters)
