Darwin Núñez’s time at Liverpool appears to be nearing its end. The Uruguayan striker, who joined the Reds in 2022 for a club-record fee of up to £85 million, has reportedly expressed his dissatisfaction following the club’s pursuit of a new forward. Núñez is said to have stated, “After all I’ve contributed to this amazing club, they’ve still chosen to bring in this aggressive striker to replace me. I’m not happy — I want out, and I want out now.”

Liverpool’s interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, valued at around £84 million, seems to have intensified Núñez’s frustrations. Ekitike, a 22-year-old French striker, had an impressive season in the Bundesliga, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists. His high work rate and speed make him a suitable fit for manager Arne Slot’s tactical approach .

Núñez’s performance since his arrival has been inconsistent. Despite scoring 40 goals in 142 appearances, he has struggled to secure a regular starting position under Slot, often falling behind Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota in the pecking order . His limited playing time has also affected potential bonuses for his former club, Benfica, which stands to lose out on a €5 million payment if Núñez fails to make another start for Liverpool .

The striker’s situation has attracted interest from clubs abroad. Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal reportedly offered Núñez a lucrative contract worth £558,000 per week . Additionally, Atlético Madrid is said to admire the forward, potentially providing him with an opportunity to return to La Liga .

Liverpool’s pursuit of Ekitike and other targets like Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez indicates a significant squad overhaul under Slot . These moves suggest that the club is preparing for life without Núñez, focusing on players who align more closely with the manager’s vision.

As the summer transfer window approaches, Núñez’s future at Anfield remains uncertain. His reported desire to leave, coupled with Liverpool’s active search for a new striker, points toward an imminent departure. Whether he moves to the Middle East, returns to Spain, or finds a new challenge elsewhere, Núñez’s chapter with Liverpool seems to be drawing to a close.