ARNE SLOT faces a challenge to build bridges with Darwin Nunez after Liverpool blocked a big-money transfer to Al Nassr this week.
The Saudi Pro League club were keen on Nunez before finalising their £64million move for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, but Liverpool told them he was not for sale at any price.
Liverpool rebuffed a possible big-money transfer for Darwin Nunez to Al Nassr
Nunez has been out of Liverpool’s starting line-up for much of the season, and would have liked the chance to speak to Al Nassr.
It was reported Liverpool rejected an initial £70m offer from a Saudi club earlier in the window.
The Uruguayan striker – who Liverpool forked out £85m for from Benfica in 2022 – was left out of the squad for Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to PSV on Wednesday with Slot citing a minor illness.
The 25-year-old was able to train yesterday and has travelled to Bournemouth with the rest of the squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture.
He is unlikely to start the game however, and his future at Anfield will be addressed in the summer.
Nunez has scored six goals and provided four assists in 29 appearances in all competitions this season and speculation around a potential January exit has died down.
Particularly since he came off the bench and scored a late double to guide Liverpool to a 2-0 stoppage time win at Brentford a fortnight ago.
Squad depth is key as the Reds continue to pursue glory on all four fronts during Slot’s first season in charge.
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Meanwhile Brighton rejected a whopping £75million bid from Al-Nassr for Kaoru Mitoma this week.
Duran leaves Villa Park after two years with the Premier League club.
Duran has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth at Villa since joining from Chicago Fire in 2023.
He has netted 12 goals in 29 games for Villa this season, with the majority of those appearances from the bench.
The 21-year-old joins Al Nassr with the club currently third in the Saudi Pro League.
Alongside Ronaldo, Duran will play alongside former Premier League stars Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte.
Duran’s departure leaves Ollie Watkins as Villa’s only main striker, with the England international the subject of a bid from Arsenal this week.
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