'Darwin Nunez Liverpool exit held up as Victor Osimhen transfer detail emerges'

Liverpool will have to wait before they can sell striker Darwin Nunez due to uncertainty over another striker's future.

Nunez is set to leave Anfield this summer following a frustrating campaign on Merseyside for the Uruguayan who only started eight Premier League games for the club.  

The 26-year-old was signed for £75million from Benfica in 2022, but hasn’t lived up to his price tag.  

He did score 18 goals in all competitions in the 2023/24 season, but only managed seven last campaign. 

Osimhen future must be resolved before Nunez purchase

Napoli are one of the clubs interested in buying Nunez this summer, but they want to resolve Victor Osimhen’s future in Naples before moving for the Uruguayan.

ESPN also believe Liverpool’s £50m valuation is pricing out potential buyers.  

Osimhen helped Napoli win the Serie A title in 2023, but was loaned out to Galatasaray last season.  

At 26 and with an excellent goalscoring record, Osimhen shouldn’t be short of offers. 

The Nigerian hit 31 goals in 39 appearances during that title winning campaign and his numbers in Turkey were impressive last season as he scored 37 goals in 41 appearances. 

Manchester United are among the club’s strongly linked with the striker. 

Liverpool may need to lower their valuation of Nunez if they are to sell the striker, but Arne Slot wants as much money from the deal to be able to buy a replacement. 

Liverpool left waiting on Napoli

Football Insider verdict

Nunez has not been the clinical striker Liverpool were hoping for when they signed him and despite having goals in their team, Slot does need to buy a clinical centre-forward. 

Osimhen has been linked with a move to the Premier League before, but there seems to be no intention for Slot to try and negotiate a swap deal.  

Isak is the ideal striker Slot wants at Anfield, but Newcastle are holding firm and are preparing a new contract for the Swede.  

The Dutchman may need to look elsewhere, but sorting out Konate’s contract situation may be a higher priority right now. 

Any money bought in by the sale of Nunez may then need to be spent on a centre-back, so Slot’s transfer business may end up going to the final days of the window.