Napoli has set a 48-hour window to determine whether to proceed with their pursuit of Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez this summer. The Uruguayan striker has found himself sidelined under the management of Arne Slot, who has favoured alternative attacking options at Anfield this past season.
Since his highly-touted move from Benfica, where terms could escalate to £85 million, Nunez has struggled to establish himself as a regular fixture in Liverpool’s Premier League line-up. Despite the Reds clinching their 20th top-flight title, the forward made just eight league starts out of 47 appearances in all competitions, with a modest return of seven goals and four assists.
Tensions surfaced earlier this year when Slot publicly expressed concerns over Nunez’s reaction to a missed opportunity against Aston Villa, stating, “It was hard for me to accept his behaviour after that chance. He was not the Darwin who gives his all for the team.” The Liverpool manager’s remarks came in the wake of disappointing displays against Villa and Wolves in February.
Rumours of Nunez’s potential departure have been stoked by reports of Napoli’s interest. Renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Serie A champions initiated direct discussions with Liverpool last week, albeit with an agreement still some way off.
“Nunez would be very keen on a move to Napoli,” Romano stated. “The project, the city, the style of Italian football, it all appeals to him. However, there’s still a significant gap between Napoli’s offer and Liverpool’s valuation, with the Reds demanding upwards of £55 million.”
Currently, Napoli must also match the financial demands of Nunez’s salary, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
Italian daily, Corriere Dello Sport, disclosed that Napoli’s enthusiasm for the signing is tempered by financial constraints. Meanwhile, Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca remains a high-priority alternative should a deal for Nunez prove unattainable.
In the coming days, clarity is expected on whether this potential transfer transitions from mere speculation to tangible reality, as Napoli awaits a price and salary compromise from Liverpool and Nunez’s camp.
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