Reports have emerged suggesting that FC Barcelona could be considering a move for former Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez, despite the Uruguayan forward being sidelined for several months.
As per Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Núñez—currently contracted to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal—has appeared on Barcelona’s list of potential transfer targets.
According to the same report, Barcelona are presently engaged in negotiations with Al-Hilal regarding the future of full-back Joao Cancelo. The Catalan side is keen to make the Portuguese defender’s loan move permanent, taking him away from the Saudi Pro League runners-up.
During these discussions, Al-Hilal reportedly proposed including Darwin Núñez as part of the deal. It is still uncertain whether the suggestion came from Barcelona’s camp or if Al-Hilal themselves offered Núñez, who has fallen out of favour at the club.
The 26-year-old joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool in the previous summer window for €53 million. However, he has not featured since mid-February, having been omitted from the squad when the foreign-player quota was exceeded following Karim Benzema’s arrival. Although his current contract runs until 2028, rumours have been circulating for months that he might depart this summer. This speculation intensified after The Mirror claimed his contract had been terminated by mutual agreement, potentially allowing him to leave as a free agent.
Before being dropped, the Uruguayan forward had netted nine goals and registered five assists across 24 appearances for Al-Hilal.
Could Darwin Núñez emerge as a backup option for Barcelona if their move for Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez falls through? Núñez is expected to be considered only if the Catalans fail to land Álvarez, who has been identified as the preferred successor to Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona are reportedly eager to finalise the deal quickly, but Atlético Madrid have firmly stated they have no intention of selling their 26-year-old star. Given Barcelona’s financial constraints, meeting Atlético’s €100 million asking price could prove difficult.
The reigning Spanish champions have already committed significant funds for next season with the signing of Anthony Gordon. The English attacking midfielder, also linked to Bayern Munich, is set to join from Newcastle United for a fee that could rise to €80 million.
Darwin Núñez could use the upcoming World Cup to reassert his presence on the global stage. When Liverpool signed him from Benfica in the summer of 2022, they valued him at an impressive €85 million. Despite showing flashes of promise, Núñez struggled to fully live up to expectations at Anfield and was sold to Al-Hilal less than a year later.
Nevertheless, Núñez remains an integral part of Uruguay’s setup for the forthcoming World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. With limited attacking options, he is likely to lead the line for Uruguay as they face Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
For Núñez, the tournament represents an important opportunity to demonstrate his quality and potentially attract new suitors.
Darwin Núñez: Career Transfers So Far
Year | From | To | Transfer Fee
2019 | CA Peñarol → UD Almería | €12 million
2020 | UD Almería → Benfica Lisbon | €34 million
2022 | Benfica Lisbon → Liverpool FC | £85 million
2025 | Liverpool FC → Al-Hilal | €53 million
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