Sources downplay Darwin Nunez return to Liverpool this summer

Darwin Nunez is available. Liverpool, apparently, doesn’t care.

The Uruguayan forward is now a free agent following a mutual termination of his contract with Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League club he joined from Anfield just last summer for a reported £46 million. And while reports from Uruguay and Spain have painted a picture of a triumphant return to Merseyside, sources close to Liverpool are telling a very different story.

A tale of two narratives

Uruguayan journalist Juan Pablo Romero has gone as far as suggesting the deal is essentially “done,” with an official announcement potentially delayed until after the 2026 World Cup. The Liverpool Echo, the outlet most closely tied to the club’s day-to-day operations, has reported that Liverpool has “little interest” in bringing Nunez back.

The striker originally joined Liverpool from Benfica in June 2022 for what was then a club-record fee, making 143 appearances and scoring 40 goals. His tenure ultimately ended with the club accepting a significant loss on their investment when they sold him to Al-Hilal for £46 million in 2025.

The free agent market heats up

Nunez’s availability has not gone unnoticed across European football. As many as eight clubs are reportedly in contact regarding his situation. Chelsea, Newcastle, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid are all reportedly monitoring the situation.

Any formal announcement about his next club could realistically wait until after the 2026 World Cup, which conveniently gives all parties more time to negotiate while maintaining maximum leverage.

Liverpool’s broader rebuild

Liverpool is in the middle of a significant rebuild, with Fenway Sports Group and the transfer team weighing multiple options for new forwards heading into the upcoming season. Re-signing a player you sold 12 months ago raises uncomfortable questions about the original decision to sell and about whether the money saved on a free transfer actually represents good value when you factor in wages for a player who commanded Saudi-level compensation just last year.

If Liverpool were genuinely interested, the leaks would be coming from Merseyside, not Montevideo. The fact that the strongest signals are originating from the player’s side, while the club’s most reliable sources are actively pouring cold water on the idea, tells you most of what you need to know.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.