Darwin Nunez is reportedly closing in on a move to Trabzonspor, where he would reunite with Mohamed Salah. The Uruguayan left Liverpool last summer for a £46million fee in a busy window that saw the club bring in more than £250million by offloading players deemed surplus to requirements.
Record Spending and Departure
That recruitment drive helped fund a record £455m spending spree and delivered high-profile arrivals including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Nunez had been tipped to thrive on Merseyside but left hoping for a fresh start, penning an emotional farewell upon learning he was heading out.
Al-Hilal and Reunion with Salah
At Al-Hilal, Nunez was later deemed surplus to requirements following the arrival of Karim Benzema and could now be set for a reunion with a familiar face as he prepares to leave the Middle East. Salah ended his glittering nine-year spell at Anfield this summer and signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor last week.
According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Trabzonspor have reached an agreement with Nunez and are now in talks with Al-Hilal to finalise a deal. Other reports suggest the move would be a loan.
Loan Move and Future Prospects
A loan spell would give the Uruguayan a chance to rediscover his form, and a strong stint in Turkey could boost his valuation and put him back on the radar of top European clubs if Al-Hilal choose to sell him permanently. Last month, it emerged that talks with Major League Soccer side Atlanta had begun but in the end, it did not get any further.
At Anfield, Nunez made 143 appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing 26 assists. Despite those numbers, he often found himself under fire from supporters - criticism that Atletico Madrid defender Alex Grimaldo has previously admitted he didn't understand, having played with him at Benfica.
"I thought that when he went to Liverpool, he was perfect for the Premier League, the type of player, and for Liverpool above all," he told After de Post United, via El Universo. "He was a very fast, very powerful striker, with a lot of goals, a good shot."
"I think he's scored a lot of goals, he's played… I just don't understand the criticism. It always happens that when there's a very high price, they demand double or triple, and it's not the player's fault, because the player has nothing to do with the price. It's between clubs."
"So, in the end, you go to a team like Liverpool, there's pressure, they demand a lot of you. There's always criticism, but I think he's scored a lot of goals and assists for Liverpool anyway."
