Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool ‘very close to agreeing’ Darwin Nunez transfer

Liverpool were ‘very close’ to selling Darwin Nunez to Al-Nassr before pulling the plug on the deal in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The eccentric Uruguay international has had a tough time at Anfield since joining for a massive €85 million in 2022. Nunez is considered a Liverpool flop and he lost his starting spot when Arne Slot took charge of the Reds in the summer.

The 25-year-old has primarily been a substitute under the Dutchman and his future is unsurprisingly in doubt. Indeed, there was major interest in Nunez in January and, according to Fabrizio Romano, he was actually ‘very close’ to leaving.

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Anfield Watch revealed Al-Hilal’s attraction in the forward in early January and Romano confirmed the reporting at the time. Now, however, he has disclosed that it were actually city rivals Al-Nassr who came closer to striking a deal.

Liverpool were open to Nunez sale

In fact, Romano reports that the two clubs were ‘very close’ to reaching an agreement on the finances of Nunez’s transfer and that the player himself also appeared open to the possibility of a lucrative Saudi switch.

The deal, however, collapsed when Liverpool suddenly decided to pull the plug so as to not jeopardise their hitherto successful season under Slot.

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Liverpool did not have a replacement lined up and, due to the nature of the January window, felt that they would likely have had to overpay for an adequate reinforcement – or upgrade.

Al-Nassr ultimately did end up bringing in a marquee striker to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, signing Jhon Duran from Aston Villa for €77m in the most expensive deal of the window.

As for Liverpool, Romano predicts a ‘busy summer’ after the modest business of the current campaign, which only saw them sign Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili for next season.