Darwin Núñez is set to leave Al Hilal less than a year after joining the Saudi Pro League side from Liverpool FC, with reports claiming an agreement has already been reached for his departure ahead of next season. The Uruguayan striker joined Liverpool from SL Benfica in 2022 in a deal initially worth €75 million (£64m), with the total package potentially rising to around £85m through add-ons. After spending three seasons at Anfield and helping Liverpool win the 2024–25 Premier League title, Núñez left for Al-Hilal last summer in a transfer worth around €53m (£46m). However, his time in Saudi Arabia has unraveled quickly. According to Uruguayan outlet ReferíNúñez has now reached an agreement with Al-Hilal to leave the club before the start of next season despite originally signing a three-year contract. The report stated that although Núñez continues training professionally with the club, he will not play again this season after being removed from the list of players eligible for domestic competitions. Al-Hilal have also already been eliminated from the AFC Champions League, meaning the striker has effectively been sidelined months before the end of the campaign.
Karim Benzema arrival changed everything
Much of the situation reportedly stems from the arrival of Karim Benzema earlier this year. According to multiple reports, Núñez lost his place due to the Saudi Pro League’s foreign-player regulations, which limit clubs to 10 foreign players in total, including a maximum of eight players over the age of 20 and two under-20 players. The mirror reported that Benzema’s arrival forced Al-Hilal into difficult squad decisions, ultimately leading to Núñez being excluded. Before being axed from the squad, Núñez had made 22 appearances, scoring nine goals and registering five assists. Benzema, despite arriving in February and playing 10 fewer matches, reportedly matched both his goal tally and assist numbers almost immediately. Football Insider also reported that Núñez has not appeared in a matchday squad since February 16. His final appearance came in the AFC Champions League group stage, where he scored twice before later being omitted from the squad entirely for Al-Hilal’s round-of-16 exit.
Núñez still training despite exile
Despite being frozen out, Referí reported that Núñez has continued training daily and has remained professional throughout the situation. The 26-year-old is understood to be desperate for regular playing time again, particularly with the World Cup approaching. His lack of minutes has already affected his international role with Uruguay national football team under manager Marcelo Bielsa. Núñez did not start either of Uruguay’s March friendlies and only appeared as a late substitute against England and Algeria. That has increased uncertainty surrounding his role heading into the World Cup, especially after going several months without competitive club football.
Chelsea, Newcastle and Juventus monitoring situation
The striker’s expected exit has already attracted interest from several major European clubs. According to Football Insider, both Chelsea FC and Newcastle United FC are monitoring Núñez’s situation closely ahead of the summer window. Juventus FC are also reportedly considering a move as they prepare for the likely departure of Dušan Vlahović. Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke reported that Newcastle are long-term admirers of Núñez, having tracked him during his time at Benfica and later while he was at Liverpool. The Magpies are prioritizing the signing of a new striker this summer and could now have a fresh opportunity to bring Núñez back to the Premier League. However, any interested club may still face a major financial obstacle. Football Insider stated that while Núñez could potentially leave Al-Hilal on a free transfer following the reported contract termination agreement, clubs would still need to come close to matching his “huge contract” in Saudi Arabia. The striker currently earns around £400,000 per week in the Middle East, more than double the wages he earned at Liverpool.
Newcastle project could play role in decision
Football Insider also reported that Newcastle’s wider long-term project could help attract players like Núñez. Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness recently told the outlet that Newcastle’s planned new training ground at Woolsington Hall could become a “game-changer” in attracting elite talent. The training ground redevelopment has been one of the club’s major priorities since the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund takeover. Whether Núñez becomes part of that project remains unclear, but his sudden availability has already created significant interest across Europe.
World Cup could define next move
Núñez’s next destination may ultimately depend on what happens with Uruguay this summer. Although he is still expected to make the squad, his lack of club football has raised questions over how much he will feature under Bielsa. If he performs strongly on the international stage, reports suggest several more clubs could enter the race for his signature. For now, though, the striker appears set to become one of the shortest high-profile Saudi Pro League signings in recent years, with his three-year Al-Hilal contract seemingly ending before even completing a full season.
