Liverpool have no plans to part ways with striker Darwin Nunez, forcing potential suitors Al-Nassr to turn their attention to other targets.
Nunez, who joined the Reds in a big-money move from Benfica in 2022, has fallen down the pecking order under Arne Slot this season. He has still chipped in with important goals, though, not least a match-winning brace away at Brentford.
Saudi side Al-Nassr explored a January move for the Uruguay international, but now have their sights set elsewhere. Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is on their list, along with Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface.
Things could yet change in the summer, by which point Al-Nassr will also be at a crossroads with top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. For now, though, it has been claimed that Nunez is going nowhere.
According to The Athletic, Al-Nassr have a verbal agreement in place over a move for Boniface. The Nigeria international, who helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga last season, has six goals from 10 league appearances this term.
Duran is also an option if the Saudi Pro League side ultimately move away from the 24-year-old. Villa want £80m for the Colombian, and knocked back a bid from West Ham earlier in the window.
Al-Nassr have raised funds and cleared space in their squad this month by selling Seko Fofana to Rennes and letting Anderson Talisca join Fenerbahce. Brazilian playmaker Talisca, 30, had scored 62 goals in 78 Saudi Pro League appearances.
The same publication reports that Nunez is considered an important part of Arne Slot’s trophy-chasing squad, while also noting there will be a significant market for the 25-year-old if he’s made available in the summer. He has been named in Slot’s 21-man squad for Wednesday’s Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven, despite the manager leaving senior stars including Mohamed Salah back at home.
Liverpool are already guaranteed first or second place in the league phase. Only Barcelona can catch the Reds, but a point in Eindhoven would be enough to ensure then finish top of the pile.
“It’s your perception, not mine that he is struggling for confidence,” Slot said of Nunez before the Brentford game. “He was involved in goals against Accrington and Fulham and he scored v Southampton. So for me it’s the life of a striker, sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t and he hasn’t started every week.