Newcastle handed Darwin Nunez transfer warning as 0.01 and 63% stats revealed

Newcastle United have been handed their biggest warning yet that they should not pursue Darwin Nunez after another lacklustre World Cup display.

The 27-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Magpies this transfer window after being deregistered by Al-Hilal in early 2026.

Newcastle are in desperate need of a new striker after failing to adequately replace Alexander Isak last summer.

However, Nunez’s performances in the World Cup have been woeful, and this continued on Saturday as Uruguay were booted out of the competition in the group stages.

The South American nation lost 1-0 to Spain, condemning them to a third-place finish in Group H on just two points.

Nunez played the full 90 minutes against the Spanish, but failed to do anything effective up top throughout.

Darwin Nunez was woeful vs Spain

Against Spain, nothing was coming off for Nunez

The striker did not pose a threat in attack in a game that was a must-win for the Uruguayans.

According to Fotmob on 27 June Nunez only managed one shot, which was off target, completed just 63 per cent of his passes, missed one big chance, had an xG of 0.01, was offside twice and was dispossessed once.

While Spain no doubt have a great backline, this is a massive warning sign to Newcastle not to complete the signing.

Nunez struggled in the Premier League in his last spell at Liverpool, and nothing suggests that this will change at the Magpies in the 2026-27 campaign.

Who else could Newcastle look to sign up top?

Newcastle have been heavily linked with a move for Liam Delap throughout the summer window.

Chelsea are now happy to let the striker leave Stamford Bridge after just one season at the club.

The Magpies were heavily linked with the former Ipswich Town man last summer before he made the move to the Blues.

Delap had a difficult first season at Chelsea since his £30million move, and only managed to score one Premier League goal. 

However, Newcastle will have to act quickly if they want to seal a deal, with Football Insider exclusively revealing that Everton have offered a contract to Delap as they look to sign the 23-year-old.