When the summer transfer window opens, Liverpool might need to make a significant choice.
Liverpool could repeat their Philippe Coutinho tactic when it comes to Darwin Nunez (Image: GETTY)
By implementing the same plan they used with Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool may provide Arne Slot the chance to completely restructure his team by resolving Darwin Nunez’s situation. The forward for the Reds has been linked to a move before the upcoming season; the rumors about his potential departure intensified after he removed any posts about Liverpool from his Instagram account.
This season, Nunez has scored eighteen goals for Liverpool across all competitions, his most since moving to the English game. Barcelona, though, is reportedly considering a move when the transfer window opens later this year.
Nunez has reportedly been considered as Robert Lewandowski’s replacement as Barcelona looks to let go of its highest-paid players in the summer, according to The Sun. Prior to Liverpool’s trip to Villa Park the following week, he and Ronald Araujo, an international teammate and star for Barcelona, took a vacation to Disneyland Paris.
Despite Nunez’s contract with Liverpool expiring in2028, his future there seems far from assured. If he does decide to leave Anfield in the upcoming months, only time will tell, but Slot will probably have the last say once he succeeds Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool may find it advantageous to adopt a similar strategy as they did with Coutinho if it turns out that Nunez’s departure would be the best course of action. The former Reds midfielder was sold to Barcelona in 2018 for an estimated £146 million, and Liverpool used the proceeds to strengthen their defense.
Shortly after Coutinho left, they signed Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, and they may try to do the same with the money they get from Nunez’s sale this summer. Slot would be able to prepare his Liverpool team for the upcoming seasons with a sizable financial infusion, as the team is currently in transition due to Klopp’s impending departure.
Nunez cost Liverpool £85 million to acquire two years ago, so if he were to be sold soon, they would almost definitely be looking to turn a profit. Although it’s unclear if they’ll be willing to let Nunez go in any scenario, Jamie Carragher has said that moving would be best for the player and the team.
“In terms of Nunez and where the club go forward now, I think after two years, we have all been in squads where someone comes in and maybe you talk about the first year and maybe say, okay he’s getting up to speed with and he’s improving, and it looked like he was at the start of the season but it has ground to a halt,” Carragher stated to Sky Sports.
“After two years, based on your assessment, I don’t believe he will have made significant progress. He is what we have witnessed over the past two years. He can be unpredictable in his finishing and a source of trouble. I believe a significant decision regarding him needs to be made in the summer because I don’t think it will be sufficient to bring home the biggest trophies.”
Nunez must have been ‘deeply unhappy’ at Anfield if he erased all references to Liverpool from his Instagram profile, according to a recent suggestion made by former Celtic striker Chris Sutton.
Sutton stated: “If someone does that, I’d assume he wants out or is off” in an interview with the podcast It’s All Kicking Off. It appears as though he is either leaving soon or is not happy at all with the club.”
