Darwin Nunez completes Saudi Arabia switch as Liverpool ponder next Alexander Isak move

Liverpool have confirmed the departure ofDarwin Nunez, who has joined Saudi side Al-Hilal. The Uruguayan striker has moved to the Middle East for a fee of around £46.3m.

A statement from the Reds on Saturday evening read: "Liverpool FC can confirm Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal, subject to international clearance. The Uruguayan's three-year spell with the Reds concludes after he finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side today.

"Nunez departs Anfield having made 143 appearances and scored 40 goals, collecting Premier League and Carabao Cup winner's medals along the way.

"The striker arrived at the club from Benfica in the summer of 2022 and scored on his competitive debut to help Jürgen Klopp's team lift the FA Community Shield with victory against Manchester City.

"His first season as a Liverpool player saw him get on the scoresheet 15 times from 42 outings in all competitions and named the club's Standard Chartered Player of the Month on two occasions.

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"Nunez improved his haul of goals in the following campaign by producing 18 – two of those off the bench at Newcastle United to complete a remarkable late turnaround in the early weeks. The 2024-25 term turned out to be his final one with the Reds, and he would complete his career on Merseyside by hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft.

"Nunez's pair of stoppage-time finishes to snatch victory away at Brentford in January was an undoubted vital moment and highlight of the historic season. Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Nunez's exit represents a considerable loss for the Reds having originally signed him from Benfica in 2022 for an initial £64m - a fee that had potential to rise to around £85m. He becomes the latest high profile departure from Anfield this summer following Luis Diaz's switch to German giants Bayern Munich.

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Those deals have now armed Liverpool with considerable funds to potentially do a deal for striker Alexander Isak, albeit he has been told in no uncertain terms that he will be staying with Newcastle this summer.

The Swedish forward is still training away from his Magpies teammates having refused to go on the club's pre-season tour of Asia. Newcastle are reportedly keen to bank around £150m from his signature should they be forced to sell.

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