Liverpool Reportedly Set Deadline for Darwin Nunez Exit as They Target Viktor Gyokeres Replacement

The winds of change are once again sweeping through Anfield, and this time they could carry Darwin Nunez far from Merseyside. Despite joining Liverpool in 2022 as a marquee £85 million signing, the Uruguayan striker’s future at the club now hangs in the balance. Reports emerging from England and Portugal suggest that Liverpool may have set a soft deadline for Nunez’s departure amid growing interest from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal, one of the most ambitious clubs in the Saudi Pro League, are reportedly preparing a lucrative offer to lure Nunez away from the Premier League. They are racing against time to finalize new additions before Tuesday’s registration deadline for the FIFA Club World Cup. The urgency of this timeline has forced Liverpool to consider their options carefully.

Nunez had once been seen as the successor to Roberto Firmino, combining raw pace with a direct goal threat. His debut season under Jürgen Klopp showed flashes of brilliance, where he scored 15 goals in all competitions. The following season, he improved with 18 goals, though his performances remained inconsistent.

However, the 2024/25 campaign under new boss Arne Slot proved to be a difficult one. Nunez struggled to adapt to Slot’s system, ending the season with only seven goals—a significant drop in output that alarmed many within the club.

His last competitive start came on March 8 in a Premier League clash against Southampton. Ironically, that was also the last time he found the back of the net. Since then, he has largely been used as a substitute or left out of the squad entirely, sparking conversations about his long-term future.

Liverpool initially rebuffed Saudi interest in January, holding on to the belief that Nunez could turn things around. But with the club finishing the season short of silverware and Nunez’s form not recovering, there appears to be a shift in attitude.

Reports from talkSPORT confirm that Al-Hilal are preparing an official bid. The Saudi side has been on the hunt for high-profile stars but has faced a string of rejections. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen have reportedly turned down multimillion-pound offers.

Interestingly, Osimhen’s name has also been loosely linked with Liverpool in the past. After a phenomenal loan spell at Galatasaray, where he scored 37 goals, he is once again on the radar of top European clubs.

But the focus has now turned to Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker has been nothing short of sensational in Portugal, scoring a jaw-dropping 97 goals in 102 appearances over the past two seasons. His performances have drawn comparisons to Premier League legends, and he is widely seen as ready for the step up.

Portuguese outlet A Bola claims that Al-Hilal also approached Gyokeres, only to be turned down. The striker, reportedly keen on testing himself in England, may now become Liverpool’s top replacement target should Nunez be sold.

Gyokeres would offer a different skill set — a mix of clinical finishing, strong link-up play, and exceptional physical presence. These traits could make him an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s pressing-heavy, attacking brand of football.

The financial angle is also significant. If Al-Hilal offer close to or more than what Liverpool initially paid for Nunez, the Reds could use those funds to swiftly reinvest in a younger and more consistent forward like Gyokeres.

Al-Hilal’s desperation to land a marquee player in time for the Club World Cup could actually tilt negotiations in Liverpool’s favour. The Saudi side reportedly offered £100 million for Bruno Fernandes and over £60 million for other forward targets, showing they’re not afraid to break the bank.

For now, Liverpool are remaining composed. Club insiders indicate that while the sale of Nunez is a possibility, it won’t be rushed unless the right financial package is presented.

Other areas of the squad are also being evaluated, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez also linked to the Reds. However, given the fragile state of Liverpool’s attacking depth, replacing Nunez effectively would become a priority.

With the summer transfer window opening on June 16, Liverpool’s strategy is expected to accelerate. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the club balances outgoings with potential incomings.

Whether Darwin Nunez finds redemption in red or reinvention in Riyadh remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — the next few weeks could be decisive for both Liverpool’s transfer ambitions and the striker’s career trajectory.

In a transfer window already brimming with speculation and surprises, Nunez’s saga could be the first major domino to fall. The clock is ticking, and the decision must come soon.