Trabzonspor has reportedly reached an agreement with striker Darwin Nunez, potentially setting the stage for a reunion with former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. Nunez, who moved to Al-Hilal from Liverpool for a fee of £46 million, is now the subject of negotiations between the Turkish club and Al-Hilal to finalize a transfer.
Reports from Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu indicate that an agreement has been secured with Nunez. The proposed move is suggested by some reports to be a loan deal. This arrangement could offer the Uruguayan international an opportunity to regain his form, potentially increasing his market valuation and attracting interest from top European clubs if Al-Hilal decides on a permanent sale.
Nunez’s Journey Since Liverpool
Nunez departed Liverpool last summer as part of a busy transfer window for the club, which saw over £250 million generated from player sales. This influx of funds contributed to a significant spending spree, bringing in players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong. Despite initial expectations for success at Anfield, Nunez sought a new start.
At Al-Hilal, Nunez was later deemed surplus to requirements following the arrival of Karim Benzema in January. His market value has reportedly declined significantly since joining the Saudi club. According to Turkish website 61saat, Al-Hilal aims to loan Nunez out to a foreign club to alleviate the burden of his high salary and to re-market him in the European scene.
Before the recent developments with Trabzonspor, discussions had reportedly commenced last month with Major League Soccer side Atlanta, though these talks did not progress further.
Reunion with Mohamed Salah
The potential move to Trabzonspor would see Nunez link up with Mohamed Salah, who recently concluded his nine-year tenure at Anfield. Salah signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor last week, ending his illustrious spell in England. Earlier Turkish reports suggest that Salah has given a positive assessment of Nunez and welcomed the prospect of reuniting with his former Liverpool colleague.
At Liverpool, Nunez made 143 appearances, contributing 40 goals and 26 assists. Despite these statistics, he often faced criticism from supporters. Former teammate Alex Grimaldo, who played with Nunez at Benfica, expressed his surprise at the criticism, noting Nunez’s speed, power, and goal-scoring ability, believing him to be well-suited for the Premier League and Liverpool.
Trabzonspor has reportedly made an offer to Al-Hilal for Nunez, with journalist Hasan Tuncil indicating an offer worth 8 million euros per year for the player, who currently earns around 20 million euros per season at the Saudi club. The Turkish club believes Nunez can add a new dimension to their attack, especially as he has struggled for playing time since Benzema’s arrival at Al-Hilal.
The move would provide Nunez with the opportunity to play in the Turkish Super League and in European competitions, which could help in restoring his market value. Al-Hilal’s management is reportedly keen to conclude this deal swiftly, aiming to recover some of their financial losses, whether through a permanent sale in the future or by retaining him in their squad.
Salah’s move to Trabzonspor was completed last Tuesday, where he was greeted by over 40,000 fans at Papara Park. Trabzonspor finished third in the league, securing European football for the upcoming season, which was reportedly a factor in Salah’s decision to join the club.
During their three seasons together at Liverpool, Nunez and Salah featured in 90 Premier League matches, with Nunez recording 21 goals and 12 assists in those appearances.
Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk