Darwin Nunez ‘green lights’ Liverpool exit as private transfer chat is leaked on radio

Darwin Nunez looks destined for the exit door at Liverpool after falling out of favour under manager Arne Slot and Napoli look primed to offer him an escape route from Anfield

Liverpool star Darwin Nunez reportedly told former Uruguay star Walter Gargano that he wants to quit Anfield to join Napoli this summer.

The forward joined the Reds for £85million, which was their record-buy at the time, but he has failed to justify that huge transfer fee after struggling to produce consistent goals on Merseyside and has now fallen out of favour under Arne Slot.

In his first season, he scored nine goals in the league but had 15 in all competitions – and his total for the following season went up as he netted 18.

But in the 2024-25 campaign, he was less prolific in front of goal as he managed just seven in all competitions as Slot’s side won the Premier League. He started just eight times in the top flight.

Now Nunez is being strongly linked with an exit, with Napoli being backed to snap him up as they seek competition for Romelu Lukaku up front.

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Gargano, who is a friend of compatriot Nunez and played for Napoli himself, said he spoke with the forward last week and was told he was eager to link up with Antonio Conte’s side.

Speaking to radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli, he said: “Nunez? The warmth of the Neapolitans would do him a lot of good, I spoke to him about a week ago and I hope he really comes to Naples.

“I told him; ‘Go to Naples!’. He and his family will decide what to do with his future. He told me; ‘Yes, I’ll come to Naples right away. I’m waiting to close with Naples’.”

A recent report from the Athletic claimed that Napoli were ready to make an official bid for Nunez in the coming days as they look to build on their Serie A title win.

Slot was critical of Nunez at times last season and he will need to find players to offload following big outlays on £116.5m Florian Wirtz, £30m Jeremie Frimpong and £45m Milos Kerkez.

Speaking after Nunez missed a chance against Aston Villa in February, Slot said: “For the second time in a row I wasn’t happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa. I always try to be honest with my players and be honest as I can to you guys as well where I always try to protect my players so I don’t say he never worked hard. I know him differently.

“I know him at Villa at home where he made a 100 metre sprint and scored a goal, I know him when he came on at City at home and was pressing really aggressively and wins the ball back and we score.

“But I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once but twice was a bit too much.”

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