‘Fuming’: The Darwin Nunez to Newcastle move that has Cristiano Ronaldo ‘enraged’ after Al-Nassr update
Newcastle United are among the Premier League clubs who have set their sights on Darwin Nunez after the latest news on his future at Al-Hilal.
Nunez has been frozen out of Simone Inzahgi’s squad and has not been registered for the second half of their Saudi Pro League campaign, likely forcing him out.
This comes following the arrival of Karim Benzema in January, a move which led to Cristiano Ronaldo going on strike due to disagreements about the transfer plans at Al-Nassr.
As a result, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nunez could return to the Premier League with Newcastle a leading contender.
Eddie Howe is believed to be unhappy with his current striker options after being underwhelmed by both Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade’s recent performances.
- Read more: Howe has a new plan for Woltemade at Newcastle.
Darwin Nunez tipped to make Newcastle switch
Football Insider exclusively revealed last year that Nunez had been offered to Newcastle as part of the deal for Alexander Isak, as they were keen on his signature.
While the deal was deemed unacceptable at the time and Isak eventually moved for a British-record fee, they could now be prepared to reignite that interest.
“Nunez is going to be one to watch, I’m sure,” Brown told Football Insider.
“There’s all this drama going on in the Saudi Pro League, they’ve gone and signed Karim Benzema, and Ronaldo has gone on strike because of it, it’s a bit messy, really.
“But amongst all of it, Nunez has been pushed out of the side for Benzema to take his place.
“Newcastle are looking to sign a new striker and I’m sure he is somebody who will have been on their radar because of his time at Liverpool.
“He’s a good striker and he’s done it in the Premier League. He may not have been everybody’s cup of tea at Liverpool, but there isn’t an abundance of available options.
“I think they have to be careful with what they do in the transfer market, they have to make sure they get it right, but Nunez is somebody I can see them going for.”
Newcastle plan to step up pursuit of a new striker
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 12 February that Newcastle will prioritise signing a new striker, as they are unhappy with both Woltemade and Wissa.
The two forwards were brought in as part of Newcastle’s last-ditch attempts to replace Isak after he made the record-breaking switch to Liverpool last summer.
However, they are unhappy with the combined output of the two strikers and hope to add a more consistent goalscorer to their ranks when the window opens.
Alongside Nunez, Brown told Football Insider earlier this month that Newcastle are interested in Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is expected to leave Crystal Palace.
Howe is keen to recruit players with Premier League experience, and Mateta’s goalscoring record in England’s top tier has placed him firmly on their radar.
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