When he made the £85 million transfer to Liverpool in 2022 on the behest of Jurgen Klopp, Darwin Nunez was slated to be a very powerful cog in a needed rebuild.
Three years on, that has patently failed. Regardless of his memorable moments, a price of 40 targets and 22 assists in 143 video games removed from justifies the unusual determination to maneuver away from the Roberto Firmino mould in direction of a conventional No. 9.
Nunez can be simply as necessary this summer time, nevertheless, solely in a really completely different means.
Liverpool are set to chop ties with their maverick centre-forward with Napoli, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid amongst his suitors together with the money-movers in Saudi Arabia, and when his switch goes by it might start a domino impact.
There’s little doubt {that a} alternative is required, and people working throughout the halls of the AXA Coaching Centre and in Fenway Sports activities Group’s workplaces in London and Boston are assessing a variety of choices so as to add to Arne Slot‘s squad.
However after a busy begin to the switch window has seen a club-record deal for Florian Wirtz prioritised together with the addition of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, there may be additionally a way that Liverpool might want to stability the books.
That isn’t the say the cash isn’t there to spend, as ongoing success and a prolonged interval of low-key enterprise has allowed FSG to bankroll a regeneration of the squad in Slot’s picture.
Nevertheless shifting Nunez is crucial earlier than Liverpool herald a participant to inherit his No. 9 shirt.
The Darwin cash and a domino impact
It stands to cause that any funds introduced in from promoting the Uruguayan will affect the extent of spending out there for a brand new striker, not solely within the total switch charge however the best way wherein a deal is structured.
There may very well be larger funds on supply within the Saudi Professional League, nevertheless it has already been communicated that Nunez would like to remain in Europe, and particularly Spain or Italy, which might require a extra sophisticated negotiation.
Liverpool would clearly not countenance a loan-to-buy settlement as golf equipment in Serie A typically choose, however there could must be extra flexibility by way of value and funds.
Recouping their total £85 million spend appears out of the query, with a valuation nearer to £50 million extra life like and affordable.
That might solely add to figures out there to Richard Hughes in his work supported by Michael Edwards and in session with Slot, and as soon as that’s secured it might then enable Liverpool to maneuver into the market.
A scarcity of motion in relation to high-profile No. 9s is unlikely to be a coincidence: promoting golf equipment can be biding their time to maximise worth, shopping for golf equipment can be awaiting readability over potential offers and gamers can be holding out for his or her most well-liked strikes.
There’s a feeling that at the very least a type of strikers slated for a giant transfer this summer time is ready for Liverpool to make their determination.
Ekitike or Isak?
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is attracting curiosity not solely from Liverpool but in addition Man United and Chelsea, with sure sources speculating that his most well-liked vacation spot is Anfield – due to this fact delaying any dedication elsewhere.
However there may be additionally a sense that Ekitike is probably not the No. 1 selection for the likes of Hughes and Slot – significantly as Frankfurt maintain agency with a €100 million asking value – with it broadly reported that Newcastle‘s Alexander Isak can be their ultimate candidate.
The scenario round Isak is especially tough: not solely have Newcastle strengthened their hand by qualifying for the Champions League however the Swede remains to be contracted to 2028 and they’re resolved to maintain him if doable.
A price ticket of £150 million has been mooted, if Newcastle will promote in any respect, and it stays to be seen whether or not Liverpool are keen or in a position to break their switch report with two £100 million-plus offers in a single summer time.
Hypothesis over Isak’s future has not gone away, although, which suggests the participant himself is protecting his choices open and will finally push for a switch.
Maybe that’s the place Nunez’s future is available in, as the primary domino to topple earlier than the remaining tumble in a neat No. 9 form.
Comparable may very well be mentioned of Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez – whose future is but to be conclusively decided – and even Napoli’s Victor Osimhen; each mentioned to be of curiosity to Liverpool and whose names might come up in negotiations for Nunez.
Liverpool can be kingmakers
In switch home windows passed by Liverpool could have been thought of one of many also-rans on this saga, however a twentieth league title, a revamp in construction and a daring, new strategy underneath Slot has clearly shifted the dynamic.
The ability is again within the arms of these on Merseyside, emboldened by their potential to fend off Bayern Munich and Man Metropolis to signal Wirtz, they usually could rightly be positioned as kingmakers within the No. 9 market.
Nunez seems on the coronary heart of this, and Liverpool could take into account themselves lucky {that a} participant who has constantly flattered to deceive is attracting the size of curiosity he’s.
Liverpool have earned a repute as opportunistic, relatively than foolhardy, and their confidence in holding out for the best participant is receiving growing ranges of reward – and that will be no completely different in promoting Nunez first earlier than advancing on their ultimate No. 9.
Whether or not that’s Isak, Ekitike, Alvarez or one other striker altogether, it appears as if the panorama is now reliant on Liverpool’s least dependable attacker.
