The move from Darwin Nunez to Napoli has been eliminated and Antonio Conte will welcome another target, Udinese Lorenzo Lucca, as a cheaper alternative to the Liverpool star
Liverpool will have to find a new buyer for Darwin Nunez after Napoli had drawn the plug during negotiations. Nunez, 26, was ready to exchange Merseyside for Naples after three difficult seasons in Anfield.
The Uruguayan has not succeeded in making his £ 85 million price tag and scored 40 goals in 143 games since he came to Benfica in 2022. Liverpool's addition to Florian Wirtz, who can play as a center ahead, for £ 116 million plus their ambitious pursuit of Alexander Isak has indicated that Arne Slot is looking for an up for the coming season.
Napoli was favorites to sign the striker, but Liverpool's demands have seen them turn to a cheaper alternative. The Premier League champions had set their asking price at £ 70 million, while Napoli was only willing to pay £ 50 million for Nunez.
Instead, the Serie A title winners Lorenzo Lucca van Udinese will sign. The 24-year-old will join Napoli at a season loan for £ 8.2 million with an obligation to buy £ 22.5 million worth £ 22.5 million, with reports that indicate that Baas Antonio Conte is a big fan of Lucca and the move green.
However, Nunez was still able to find a way out, with clubs in Saudi Arabia that insists on its services. It has been claimed that the new al-Hilal boss Simone Inzaghi has identified the former Benfica star as a goal if they do not sign Victor Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli but has not reported for training for the season.
Liverpool, however, will be careful to leave himself briefly in the attack. Bayern Munich recently made an offer for Luis Diaz, who is also desired by Barcelona, while the tragic death of Diogo Jota will also have sporting consequences.
Nunez started a competitive match for the Reds on March 8 and scored in a 3-1 win at home to the bottom of the Southampton table. The Uruguay International also came to the score sheet when Liverpool was against Preston North End in their first pre-season-friendly friendship on Sunday, a 3-1 victory.
Does Liverpool have to sell Darwin Nunez? Say in the commentary part.
Former Liverpool -defender Markus Babbel, believes it is time to continue. “The problem with Darwin Nunez is that he lacks too many opportunities.
“I think it is at the point that Arne Slot has lost confidence in him. I think it would be best for Nunez to continue from Liverpool, but it will not be easy because he will be expensive.”
Babbel, who spoke with Adventure gamers, added: “I think Serie A or La Liga would be fantastic competitions for him, because the defense is not the best in Italy and Spain – especially in Spain! If you are a striker, then it is much easier to score goals in those countries.
“You look at Romelu Lukaku in Napoli – he was at a low point in Chelsea, but Conte brought him back to Serie A, and he looks back to his best. Maybe if Darwin Nunez moved to Italy or Spain, it would be easier for him to come to his best.”