Al-Hilal is stepping up efforts to sign Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, after identifying him as a priority target in the summer transfer window this year.
The Saudi Arabian team used to monitor a number of other strikers, but now they have decided to take the Uruguayan star down.
Nunez's departure from Anfield was predicted early, although some previous transfer options are now no longer feasible. The decline in performance caused the Uruguayan striker to lose his expected position.
Despite being a record signing for Liverpool for £85 million, manager Arne Slot is ready to let him go. Currently, the Middle East is considered the most potential destination for Nunez.
In January, Liverpool rejected an offer from Al-Nassr - another team in Saudi Arabia. However, Al-Hilal has now officially joined the race, sat at the negotiation table and was informed of the terms of the deal.
According to British media, although no official offers have been made, Nunez-related transfer activities have been launched.
Al Hilal, currently led by former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi, had been chasing Victor Osimhen before he joined Galatasaray. Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are also on the Saudi Arabia team's target, but both are considered not meeting the criteria.
Before joining Liverpool, Nunez was the target of many top European teams after an explosive season in Benfica. However, at Anfield, the Uruguayan striker had many difficulties in maintaining stable performance. He has only scored 40 goals in 143 appearances, including 7 goals last season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been leading Al-Hilal's attack since leaving Fulham to move to Saudi Arabia. However, this team is still looking for quality additions from the Premier League to increase its strength in attack.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are prioritizing adding more strikers in the summer transfer window of 2025. This has a significant impact on Nunez's position at Anfield.
Hugo Ekitike has been signed by The Kop for £79 million and is expected to become a mainstay, alongside Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and rookie Florian Wirtz.
The Reds are currently chasing Alexander Isak, who has publicly expressed his desire to seek a chance to leave. Although Newcastle have rejected a £110 million offer for the Swedish striker, Liverpool are expected to return with a new offer if Isak continues to pressure to leave.
Selling Nunez could help Liverpool raise funds for a new offer for Isak. They had previously given the green light for Luis Diaz's move to Bayern Munich, earning £65.5m.
