Al-Hilal reach verbal agreement with Liverpool to sign Darwin Nunez as ex-Inter boss Simone Inzaghi closes in on priority transfer target

Nobody saw this coming. Not in 2022 when Darwin Nunez landed in Liverpool from Benfica for a massive transfer fee. Not in 2023 when he was still trying to find his feet under Jurgen Klopp. Not even last season when he struggled in front of goal, but still ran with his heart on his sleeves. But now, in the heat of the 2025 summer transfer window, Darwin Nunez is one step away from leaving the Premier League. And not just anywhere. He’s heading to Saudi Arabia. He’s heading to Al Hilal. And it’s already shaking the entire football world like thunder.

After days of quiet talks and whispers behind closed doors, news broke like a volcano. Al Hilal and Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of Darwin Nunez. Yes, it’s not just a rumour anymore. The deal is real. The agreement is there. And the only thing left is for Nunez to say yes

It’s all happening very fast. Former Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi, now in charge of Al Hilal, has made Nunez one of his top transfer targets this summer. And now, after long talks and serious negotiation between both clubs, everything is now moving towards the final stage.

Reports from Italy, England, and even Saudi Arabia have confirmed it. And the man behind the news bomb? None other than Fabrizio Romano. He reported that the deal is now at the stage of **personal terms**. That means Al Hilal and Nunez just need to agree on the player’s contract — salary, bonuses, length of deal — and once that is done, the deal will be completed.

But what does this mean for Liverpool? What does this mean for Nunez? Why now? Why Saudi Arabia? Let’s break it all down. Let’s enter the mind of Liverpool. Let’s enter the mind of Nunez. And let’s understand how a 2022 dream is now turning into a 2025 farewell.

Darwin Nunez came to Liverpool with a huge weight on his shoulders. The club had just lost Sadio Mane. Mohamed Salah was still shining, but Liverpool needed another warrior in attack. A beast. A striker who could score, press, fight, run, and destroy defences. That’s why they paid big money to get Nunez from Benfica.

fire. Then it became confusion. Nunez had the speed. He had the power. He had the hunger. But he also had a problem — finishing. The chances were coming, but the goals were not. Fans loved him for his effort. They cheered him for his passion. But something was missing. Something that every great striker needs. **Cold-blooded confidence in front of goal.

Season after season, Liverpool kept believing. Klopp stood by him. But things never truly clicked. And now with Arne Slot stepping in as the new manager, the picture is changing. Slot wants something different. Something more precise. And now with new signings arriving — like Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez — Liverpool’s new era is being built. Nunez? He may not be part of it.

According to multiple sources, Al Hilal are offering €70 million for the Uruguayan striker. That’s around £61 million, and it matches what Al Nassr tried to offer Liverpool back in January 2025. Back then, Liverpool said no. They didn’t want to lose Nunez in the middle of a title race. But now? The mood has changed. The Reds are ready to listen. And they’re ready to say goodbye.

Let’s be clear — €70m is a lot of money. Especially for a striker who only scored **5 Premier League goals** last season. In total, Darwin Nunez has played **143 games** for Liverpool, scoring **40 goals**. That’s not bad, but it’s not great either. Especially for a club like Liverpool where the expectations are sky-high. Fans are already reacting. Some are angry. Some are confused. Some are just sad. Because they know Nunez always gave everything on the pitch. He never hid. He never backed down. But maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t enough.

If the deal goes through, it will open new doors. For Nunez, it’s a chance to be the main man again. A new life. A new league. A new chance to shine under Simone Inzaghi. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to reshuffle their attack completely. And this is where Alexander Isak comes in.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Newcastle United striker. The Swedish international is one of the hottest attackers in the Premier League right now. Fast, intelligent, and deadly in front of goal. Signing Isak would cost serious money. But with €70m from Nunez’s sale, Liverpool would have both the cash and space to make a move.

If Nunez joins Al Hilal, it could also trigger the exit of Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian striker has been playing in Saudi Arabia since his move from Fulham, but with Nunez entering, he might be forced out. Al Hilal are now open to selling or loaning Mitrovic. And some European clubs are already watching. It’s like a domino effect — one move leads to another. One striker out, another in. And football keeps spinning.

Money? Yes. But there’s more. In Saudi Arabia, Nunez would be treated like king. First-choice striker. Top wages. Big respect. And a new environment where the pressure is different. No boos from rival fans. No endless criticism from pundits. No comparing with Haaland or Kane. Just football. And a chance to start again. Some will say he’s running away. Others will say he’s being smart. But only Darwin Nunez knows what’s truly in his heart. The fans who chanted his name at Anfield will miss him. But they also know that sometimes, love is not enough.

Back in Liverpool, the project continues. Arne Slot is building something new. Something exciting. Hugo Ekitike is young and full of energy. Frimpong and Wirtz bring Bundesliga fire. Milos Kerkez adds depth to the defence. And now, with a possible Isak signing, Liverpool could become even more dangerous. Slot doesn’t just want runners. He wants thinkers. He wants killers in front of goal. And maybe, just maybe, Nunez was never his guy. That’s the harsh truth of football. Today you’re the star. Tomorrow you’re on the market

Let’s not forget — Nunez had moments. Big moments. Crucial goals. Wild celebrations. And a connection with the fans. But in the Premier League, moments are not enough. You need numbers. You need killer instinct. You need to deliver, week in, week out. When Liverpool won the title last season, Nunez was part of the squad. But not the main hero. His 5 league goals were not enough to make him the king of Anfield. And as new names rise, old names fall.