Liverpool are unlikely to sell Darwin Nunez to AC Milan this month without signing a replacement.
Nunez, 25, has struggled again in his third season with the Reds, scoring just four goals in all competitions. The Uruguayan was signed from Benfica in 2022 for an initial transfer fee of £64 million, which could rise to a club record £85 million.
His problems under Jurgen Klopp were well documented, but the appointment of Arne Slot has failed to revive his career at Anfield. Nunez is therefore tipped for the exit door in the January transfer window, with AC Milan being the strongest connected.
Milan currently sit eighth in Serie A, having just sacked manager Paulo Fonseca, who was only appointed in June, following a four-match winless run. But according to the Mail, Liverpool have yet to receive any contact from the Italian giants regarding a possible move for Nunez.
This week it was reported in Italy that Milan were preparing a bid for the 25-year-old, who was behind Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in the pecking order under Slot. The proposal would have been an initial six-month loan with a £41.5m purchase commitment in the summer.
Milan's recent managerial change could have changed their plans, with former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao handed the keys to San Siro. If Milan go through with a move, Nunez would join a number of other strikers looking to rejuvenate their careers at the club.
Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata joined the Rossoneri this season, as did English striker Tammy Abraham, on loan from Roma. Luka Jovic, who signed for Real Madrid for 49.7 million euros in 2019, also plays for Milan. Their star player, Rafael Leao, is currently sidelined due to injury, as is former England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Even if Milan were to make a substantial offer to Liverpool, it is said that the Reds are likely to want a replacement lined up before Nunez is sacked. Earlier this month, Slot defended Nunez's lack of goals, suggesting he still has confidence in his number 9 midway through the campaign.
“For me he has an impact,” Slot said. “If you just look at the goals, he hasn't scored the number of goals he wants to score, or we want a number nine to score, but he has had an impact on his work rate. He's part of a team that's scoring.” lots of goals and wins a lot.
“Of course as a number nine you want to score more goals and that's certainly what he wants too. But I don't just judge Mohamed Salah on his goals and Darwin on his goals – I also judge them on their work rate.” and what they have to offer the team. The fans support him so much that maybe he wants it too much.”
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