Darwin Núñez wants for Napoli move as Liverpool hold firm on £60m valuation. Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez has formally requested for a transfer to Napoli, selecting the Serie A champions as his preferred destination after direct talks with manager Antonio Conte. However, the move hinges on Napoli meeting Liverpool’s £59–70 million valuation—a significant hurdle for the Italian club.
The Stalemate in Negotiations
- Núñez’s Push: The Uruguayan, frustrated by limited starts (just 8 in the 2024/25 Premier League), sees Napoli as the ideal environment to reignite his career. Conte’s project, emphasizing physical forwards, appeals to Núñez, who scored just 7 goals in 47 appearances last season.
- Liverpool’s Demands: Despite Núñez’s underwhelming record (40 goals in 143 games since his £85m 2022 move), Liverpool insists on recouping €65m (£55.6m) upfront plus €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons. Internally, Anfield officials doubt Napoli can meet this price.
- Napoli’s Reluctance: The club views Liverpool’s demands as “difficult,” exploring cheaper alternatives like Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca (12 Serie A goals last term). Talks continue, but no official bid has been submitted.
Financial Paradox: Profit vs. Reality
While a €65m (£55.6m) sale would technically book Liverpool a €40m “profit” due to amortization (his remaining book value is €25m), the club faces a net loss of €20m on their initial €85m investment. This accounting nuance aids Financial Fair Play compliance but underscores Núñez’s failure to justify his fee.
Performance Analysis: A Flawed Fit
Núñez’s Liverpool tenure epitomized unfulfilled promise:
- Inconsistency: Though his work rate earned initial fan appreciation, erratic finishing (25 Premier League goals total) and decision-making eroded trust.
- Tactical Misfit: Under Arne Slot, his role was limited even further still. His xG underperformance (-3.5 in 2024/25) would indicate he wasted plenty of chances when compared to his 54-goal season at Benfica.
Napoli’s Competition and Contingencies
- Atlético Madrid’s Interest: Núñez reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Atlético, but Napoli remains his priority.
- Liverpool’s Plans: Funds from his sale could fuel a move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak or PSG’s Hugo Ekitike. Florian Wirtz’s arrival (£116m) also reduces reliance on a traditional striker.
- Napoli’s Fallback: Should talks collapse, Jonathan David (Lille) is a viable alternative.
Napoli’s Broader Implications
- For Liverpool: Selling Darwin Núñez to Napoli frees up space and wages for a more clinical goalscorer. His departure also signals a practical reset in advance of a Klopp post-mortem.
- For Napoli: Signing Núñez fits with Conte’s physical, direct style of football, but with a chance of repeating his Liverpool struggles if confidence is affected going from the Premier League mission to Serie A transition.
- For Núñez: A Serie A switch provides an opportunity for lower-pressure rehabilitation, akin to Romelu Lukaku’s renewed career in eItaliane football.
The Verdict
Núñez’s Anfield exit seems inevitable, but Napoli must bridge a €15m+ gap to secure him. With Atlético lurking and Liverpool refusing to budge, this saga could extend into August. For the Reds, cutting losses on a misfit marks smart business. But for Núñez, Napoli represents a final chance to prove he belongs among Europe’s elite.
Darwin Núñez has formally requested a transfer, selecting Napoli as his preferred destination after direct talks with manager Antonio Conte . However, the move remains stalled due to a significant valuation gap. Liverpool demand €65m (£55.6m) plus €5m add-ons, while Napoli consider this “difficult” and propose a fee closer to £50m.
Final Thoughts
With the striker’s limited role under Arne Slot (8 Premier League starts in 2024/25) and Liverpool’s bona fides sell a player to free up funds for targets like Alexander Isak, it all signals an inevitable departure for Núñez. Whether Napoli can pay Liverpool´s asking price also depends on whether or not Victor Osimhen moves to Al-Hilal for £67m. If those negotiations fail, Núñez could be left with no option but Atlético Madrid.
For Liverpool, this impasse tests their commitment to recoup maximum value for a player whose 25 Premier League goals in three seasons fell short of their expectations.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
