Darwin Núñez will be available on loan after Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal failed to secure a permanent buyer during the summer transfer window. The Uruguayan striker, who joined from Liverpool for €55 million, will not continue as part of the club’s long-term plans, with Al Hilal officials now pursuing temporary arrangements elsewhere.
According to reports relayed by SPORT, multiple Saudi media outlets confirmed that Al Hilal and Núñez’s representatives explored several permanent options throughout the off-season without success. The club has now shifted focus toward arranging a loan deal, prioritizing partners willing to absorb a significant portion of the striker’s wages.
Turkish Interest and European Alternatives
Al Hilal officials are scheduled to travel to Turkey this week to investigate opportunities with leading clubs in the country. The Saudi outfit aims to capitalize on strong interest from both Premier League sides and Portuguese teams.
Barcelona have been notified of Núñez’s availability through super-agent Jorge Mendes, though no formal discussions have commenced between the two parties. The Catalan club’s current focus remains Julian Álvarez, with their sporting department optimistic that circumstances involving the Argentine and Atlético Madrid may develop as the window continues.
Interestingly, Barcelona’s scouting department monitored Núñez during his spell at Almería, nearly securing his services with a lower proposal before Benfica completed his signing for €25 million. Club legend Luis Suárez previously recommended him as a potential successor, ensuring he remained on their radar throughout subsequent moves.
Adaptation Challenges at Al Hilal
Núñez reported to Al Hilal’s preseason training camp in Austria, despite being sidelined from the club’s future strategy. His time in Saudi Arabia has proven problematic, with adaptation difficulties prompting the club to explore repatriation to European football.
Al Hilal believe returning him to Europe on loan offers the optimal path for rehabilitating his standing before attempting another permanent sale next summer. The arrangement reflects the striker’s struggle to settle following his controversial Liverpool tenure, where inconsistent performances followed an €85 million investment from Benfica.
What This Means for Barcelona’s Transfer Strategy
A loan arrangement presents Barcelona with a financially attractive fallback if Julian Álvarez negotiations deteriorate. Unlike a permanent transfer, loaning Núñez would eliminate upfront fees, allowing the club to access attacking reinforcement without significant capital outlay.
However, Barcelona currently view this option as secondary intelligence gathering rather than active negotiation. Their sporting structure maintains Álvarez as the primary objective, with Núñez’s profile gaining relevance only if that pursuit reaches an impasse during the window’s final stages.
Barcelona’s involvement with Al Hilal extends simultaneously to potential João Cancelo discussions, yet Núñez’s situation remains wholly separate from those talks. The club’s dual-track approach demonstrates measured pursuit rather than desperation, keeping the Uruguayan accessible without overcommitting resources or attention from their lead targets.
