Darwin Núñez’s Transfer Twist: From Trabzonspor to Saudi Arabia
Darwin Núñez’s next move looked simple. It isn’t anymore.
For days, the expectation was clear: the former Liverpool striker would fly to Turkiye, sign for Trabzonspor on loan and reunite with Mohamed Salah under the Black Sea lights. The narrative was neat, almost too neat. Then the script was ripped up.
Deal to Trabzonspor derailed
On the final day of Al Hilal’s pre-season camp in Austria, reporter Sacha Tovalieri revealed that Núñez had been left out of the squad. That omission was supposed to be the prelude to his departure, with a trip to Turkiye lined up to finalise a loan switch to Trabzonspor.
Instead, another Saudi Pro League club pounced.
Al Diriyah have stepped in and, according to reports, opened talks with Al Hilal and tabled a proposal to take Núñez on loan themselves. The late move has effectively hijacked Trabzonspor’s plans and now appears set to send the Uruguayan to a very different destination than originally expected.
If the deal is completed, Núñez will remain in Saudi Arabia rather than joining the growing ex-Premier League contingent in Turkiye.
Salah’s star turn in Turkiye
Trabzonspor, meanwhile, had been preparing for a headline reunion. Salah’s arrival alone has already transformed the club’s profile. The Egyptian forward received a thunderous welcome on his unveiling and immediately became the highest-paid player in Turkiye.
He made his debut last weekend, coming off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Kasimpasa. The squad around him carries a distinctly Premier League flavour: former Southampton striker Paul Onuachu and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are among those now sharing a dressing room with him.
Núñez would have added another familiar face from Anfield. Instead, Trabzonspor must now reassess their attacking plans.
From Liverpool to Saudi Arabia
Núñez left Liverpool last year when Al Hilal paid around $62 million (£46 million) for his services, three years after his big-money move from Benfica to Anfield. The transfer was framed as part of a broader reshaping of Liverpool’s forward line.
Liverpool responded by investing heavily. Alexander Isak arrived for around $169 million (£125 million), while Hugo Ekitike was also brought in to deepen the attacking options. Neither has fully caught fire yet at Anfield, and Ekitike’s injury has complicated matters further.
With the Frenchman sidelined for several more months, Isak stands as the only fully fit central striker.
Liverpool’s lingering striker question
That imbalance has not gone unnoticed. European football analyst Julian Laurens underlined the issue this week, stressing that Liverpool may still need another centre-forward option, particularly if Cody Gakpo leaves.
“I still think that until Ekitike comes back from injury — it’s a long one, we’re not sure exactly when it will be — they probably need a back-up to Isak, especially if Cody Gakpo goes,” Laurens said. “You’re only left really with Isak as your nine.”
There are internal tactical tweaks available. Laurens pointed to the possibility of using Federico Chiesa, Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones as a false nine if required. Yet he still believes a dedicated striker, even on a short-term loan similar to the Ronald Araujo deal in defence, would make sense.
And then there is the midfield.
Laurens highlighted that the current group may not be perfectly aligned with Andoni Iraola’s high-intensity, aggressive style, which differs sharply from Arne Slot’s approach. That leaves Liverpool juggling two major tasks: reshaping the engine room and ensuring there is enough firepower up front.
While Liverpool weigh those decisions, Núñez’s future is being decided elsewhere. The reunion with Salah in Trabzonspor colours is slipping away, replaced by a fresh chapter in Saudi Arabia. The question now is simple: who moves next to fill the gaps left behind?
