Liverpool’s summer rebuild under Arne Slot could take a decisive turn, with Darwin Núñez now firmly on the transfer list. The club has reportedly set an asking price of £70 million for the 26-year-old striker, signaling their willingness to part ways just three years after his record-breaking arrival from Benfica.
Núñez, once billed as the spearhead of Liverpool’s post-Mane era, has struggled to find consistency despite flashes of his raw potential. Across 143 appearances, he has netted 40 goals—figures that fall short of expectations given the £85 million fee that once made him Liverpool’s most expensive player. With Florian Wirtz now claiming that title following his big-money move this summer, Núñez’s future at Anfield looks increasingly uncertain.
Liverpool’s challenge now is twofold: finding a serious buyer and minimizing the financial hit on a transfer that hasn’t quite panned out. So far, Napoli are the only club to show concrete interest. Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport reports that new manager Antonio Conte is keen to bring Núñez to Naples as part of his plans to retain the Scudetto. The club has already landed Kevin De Bruyne in a headline-grabbing move and sees Núñez as the next piece of its evolving frontline.
The striker is reportedly open to a Serie A switch and has given “priority” to a move to Italy. However, Napoli aren’t prepared to meet Liverpool’s full asking price. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has begun informal talks with Núñez’s agent, Fali Ramadani, as the Italian champions seek to lower the fee.
That negotiation may hinge on the imminent departure of Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker, who scored 26 goals during his loan spell at Galatasaray, is on the brink of a permanent move to the Turkish club. After rejecting previous offers of €55m and €60m, Napoli have reportedly accepted Galatasaray’s decision to activate Osimhen’s €75m release clause—though structured over five years.
With Osimhen intent on staying in Istanbul, Napoli will soon have the funds available for a forward signing. If talks for Núñez falter, the club has identified Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca as an alternative. Lucca, valued at €40m, is seen as a more budget-friendly option, though Napoli still view the price tag as negotiable. The 24-year-old impressed last season with 12 goals in 33 Serie A games and is regarded as one of the league’s more promising young forwards.
Back at Anfield, selling Núñez could offer Liverpool both financial relief and squad flexibility. Not only would the sale cover a significant portion of the Wirtz deal, but it would also free up funds to reinforce other key areas—most notably center-back. With Jarell Quansah recently sold to Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool have turned their attention to Parma’s Giovanni Leoni as a potential addition to their backline.
While Núñez’s Anfield chapter appears close to its end, Liverpool’s approach to his sale suggests they’re determined not to rush. Napoli remain the frontrunners, but unless they meet the valuation or make serious headway in negotiations, the Reds may need to explore alternative exit routes for their volatile but talented No. 9.
