As Darwin Núñez approaches an unavoidable exit from Liverpool, the Premier League champions are reportedly aiming to recover a significant portion of his initial transfer fee.Núñez joined Liverpool in 2022 with high expectations.
The striker signed a five-year contract valued at up to £85 million ($115.6 million), which was a club record at the time.
However, in the subsequent years, the Uruguayan did not meet the expectations associated with his price tag.
Núñez netted only 25 league goals during his three seasons in a Liverpool jersey, and most recently, he managed just eight Premier League starts under Arne Slot.
It became a foregone conclusion that Núñez was set to leave Liverpool following his disappointing 2024–25 season.
The 25-year-old attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League, but he reportedly has his sights set on a move to Serie A champions Napoli.
Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Núñez has given “his initial green light” to Napoli. The former Benfica striker is considering the transfer after being “introduced to [Antonio Conte’s] project.
”The prospective transfer to Italy hinges on the financial aspects of the deal.
Liverpool is reportedly “keen to recoup as much as possible” from their original transfer fee for Núñez and is expected to establish an asking price exceeding €50 million (£43 million/$57.6 million).
Securing such a substantial amount for Núñez would assist the Reds in recovering financially from a costly summer during which Liverpool has brought in Jeremie Frimpong, Ármin Pécsi, and Florian Wirtz to Merseyside.
Wirtz’s transfer, in particular, has already cost the English club €117.5 million (£100.1 million, $136.1 million) and includes additional add-ons worth €18.8 million (£16 million, $21.8 million).
The Premier League champions are also anticipated to sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth in a deal valued at £40 million ($54 million).
It is evident, therefore, that Liverpool will strive to obtain as much financial return as possible for Núñez should the forward proceed with a transfer to Napoli.