Darwin Núñez is being linked with a quick return to the Premier League less than a year after his departure from Liverpool.
The Uruguayan striker helped the Reds lift the Premier League title under Arne Slot before sealing a £46 million move to Saudi side Al Hilal. Since joining the Riyadh club, he has made eight appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists. Though his contract runs until 2028, speculation is already growing about a possible comeback to England.
Former France international and ex-Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has even urged his old club to pursue Núñez, claiming he would be the ideal striker for the Blues. Chelsea have long struggled to find a consistent No.9, despite adding Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, and Tyrique George to their attacking options this season.
“For me, Núñez was perfect — absolutely spot on,” Desailly told OLGB. “He had some bad luck at Liverpool, but the fact they signed him shows they saw real potential. Under Enzo Maresca’s system, he could really thrive at Chelsea. If things aren’t working for him in Saudi, he’d be the one I’d bring back.”
Núñez originally joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 for £64 million but never quite hit the heights expected, with his best Premier League return being 11 goals in the 2023/24 season. He managed five league goals last term before being sold as Liverpool invested in Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Currently, his Al Hilal team sits third in the Saudi Pro League with 17 points from seven matches — just four behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
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