Al Hilal present offer to Darwin Nunez as talks escalate with Liverpool striker | OneFootball

Al Hilal have made Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez their top attacking target and are now pushing ahead with efforts to complete a deal for the Uruguay international.

After initial contact with Liverpool in June, the Saudi Pro League side have moved quickly in recent days, holding direct talks with Nunez and his representatives over contract terms and the project being offered in Riyadh.

Simone Inzaghi, who took over as Al Hilal’s manager earlier this summer, is driving the move and views Nunez as an ideal fit for his system. The club’s sporting leadership has fully backed the pursuit and formally presented a contract proposal to the 25-year-old.

Liverpool have not received an official bid yet, but they have authorised Nunez to speak with Al Hilal and explore the opportunity, suggesting a degree of openness to a potential sale if a suitable offer arrives.

Al Hilal had previously spent several months pursuing Victor Osimhen, but the Nigerian has since completed a move to Galatasaray. Other names such as Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko were also considered, but both are now seen as out of reach due to either cost or club stance.

That has cleared the way for a concentrated push for Nunez, who is believed to be open to the idea of a move depending on the direction of talks between the clubs.

Nunez arrived at Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 in a deal worth up to £85 million, including add-ons.

Despite moments of promise, he has struggled to fully establish himself, particularly in the Premier League. He scored seven goals across 47 appearances last season but made only eight starts in the league.

There have been questions over his finishing and role within the system, and competition for places has grown following the summer arrival of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Liverpool are also in the market for a top-tier centre-forward and recently had a £110 million bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle United. That situation remains unresolved, but it points to a desire to reshape the club’s forward line under manager Arne Slot.

No formal bid has yet been submitted by Al Hilal, but with personal terms under discussion and the player engaged in dialogue with both Inzaghi and club executives, developments are expected soon.

If an agreement can be reached, Nunez would become the latest major European name to move to Saudi Arabia and add further firepower to Al Hilal’s already star-studded squad.