Darwin Nunez wants to make a shock return to Liverpool this summer but has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Barcelona, according to reports.
Much was expected of Nunez following his £64m move from Benfica in 2022 but the Uruguay striker only spent three years at Anfield.
Nunez was the top goalscorer in Portugal in his final season at Benfica, scoring an impressive 26 goals in 28 league games and 34 in 41 overall.
The 26-year-old only reached double figures in the Premier League in one of his three seasons at Liverpool, though he was often more influential in cup competitions, and finished his Anfield spell with 40 goals in 143 appearances.
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The chance to sell Nunez for almost £50m proved too good to refuse and Liverpool sanctioned his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer.
Many former Premier League stars have thrived in Saudi given the inferior level of the division but Nunez only scored six goals in 19 games before being left out of Al-Hilal’s squad for the second-half of the season.
Al-Hilal decided to axe Nunez after signing Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema as Saudi Pro League rules only allow for a certain number of foreign players in each squad.
Mundo Deportivo say Nunez is considering ripping up his contract as he seeks a summer move and has attracted interest from a host of European clubs.
La Liga champions Barcelona are believed to be looking at Nunez as a possible replacement for departing striker Robert Lewandowski.
Barca boss Hansi Flick has made Julian Alvarez his first-choice target for that position but a deal may not be easy given Atletico Madrid’s stance and competition from Premier League champions Arsenal.
Chelsea are said to be showing interest in Nunez and it is believed that incoming manager Xabi Alonso could ‘facilitate’ a move for the Uruguayan
Nunez could provide competition for Joao Pedro or even be a replacement for the Brazilian, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are keen to sign a striker even if Pedro stays put as Liam Delap endured a miserable campaign and Nicolas Jackson looks set to leave following his loan move at Bayern Munich.
It is claimed Nunez, however, wants to return to Liverpool after helping Arne Slot’s side win the Premier League.
Liverpool’s stance on a surprise return for Nunez is unclear but Andoni Iraola is keen to bolster the squad after replacing Slot in the Anfield dugout.
The Reds spent over £200m on strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike last summer during an extraordinary spending spree.
Ekitike was one of the few Liverpool players to impress during a difficult season, scoring 17 goals, but Isak missed the majority of the campaign through injury.
If Liverpool are not interested, a Premier League move could still be on the cards for Nunez as Newcastle United are reportedly weighing up a move.
Newcastle spent £69m to sign Nick Woltemade last summer but the Germany international only scored two goals in the second-half of the season.
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