(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Mon 11 May 2026 12:07, UK

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Newcastle United have Al-Hilal striker Darwin Nunez on their list of potential attacking targets this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Uruguayan has fallen out of favour with the Saudi Pro League side, and the Magpies, Chelsea and Juventus are all plotting moves to try to sign him ahead of next season.

The 26-year-old could potentially have his deal terminated by Al-Hilal, but sources have indicated that the interested parties would have to come close to matching his “huge contract” in order to get a deal done.

Newcastle are long-term admirers of the former Liverpool frontman, having previously held interest in him while he was at Benfica, and later at Anfield.

The Magpies have a new striker high on their list of priorities for the summer window, and they could yet have the chance to bring Nunez back to the Premier League.

Darwin Nunez’s contract situation examined

Nunez only left Liverpool last summer, as the Reds sanctioned his departure for £46million to balance out their heavy spending on the likes of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

However, things haven’t gone to plan for him out in the Middle East, as he has been omitted from the squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema at Al-Hilal back in January.

Nunez has managed nine goals and five assists from just 24 games for Simone Inzaghi’s side, but hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since 16 February.

That has left him and his camp looking for a way out ahead of next season, and recent reports have suggested that an agreement is in place to see his contract terminated a year early.

That looks set to play perfectly into the hands of the likes of Newcastle and Chelsea, who are willing to offer the striker a second chance in English football.

Nunez managed to surpass the 15-goal mark in all competitions in each of his first two seasons with Liverpool, and he could yet find himself leading the line at St James’ Park next term.

Newcastle set for big boost in ‘attracting players’

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last weekend that Newcastle’s plans for a new training ground will give them a big boost when it comes to “attracting players” to join them.

The Magpies are desperate to catch up to the Premier League’s elite in the coming years, and have watched many clubs at the top of English football invest in their training grounds in recent seasons.

Wyness revealed that he has already seen the plans for the Geordies’ proposed new base at Woolsington Hall, and feels that they could be a game-changer for them when it comes to convincing top stars to join their ranks.

The issue of a new training ground has been a hot topic of discussion ever since PIF took over the club, but steps are finally being put in place to make the dream a reality.