Liverpool Sells Darwin Nunez to Al Hilal for Record-Breaking Fee

Darwin Nunez leaves Liverpool to Al Hilal

Darwin Nunez completes £46.2M move to Al Hilal from Liverpool, signing a three-year contract. The Uruguayan striker joins a star-studded squad led by Simone Inzaghi.

“Nunez has just joined the squad during the current pre-season training camp in Germany...”

Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez has joined Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal from Premier League champions Liverpool on a three-year contract worth an initial €53 million, with potential add-ons taking the total to €65 million. Nunez, 26, made 143 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 40 goals after joining from Benfica in 2022 for £64 million. His departure comes after Liverpool's significant summer spending, including signings like Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, which likely reduced his playing time.

Nunez's move to Al Hilal marks a new chapter in his career, joining a team coached by Simone Inzaghi and featuring international stars like Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, and Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Saudi club's aggressive recruitment drive has seen them attract high-profile talent, and Nunez is expected to play a key role in their pursuit of domestic and continental success.

“Al Hilal Club Company is pleased to announce the signing of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Liverpool FC on a three-year contract,” the Saudi club said on their website.

“Nunez has just joined the squad during the current pre-season training camp in Germany,” Al Hilal added.

Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool in June 2022 from Benfica for a club-record £85 million deal, which included an upfront fee of £64 million and potential add-ons worth £21 million. The Uruguayan striker signed a six-year contract but struggled for consistency during his time at Anfield.

Nunez managed 40 goals and 26 assists in 143 appearances for Liverpool. Last season, he played a limited role in the team's title-winning campaign, starting only eight league matches and scoring five goals. The arrival of new signings like Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz further reduced his playing time, ultimately leading to his departure to Al Hilal.

Darwin Nunez's departure to Al Hilal will indeed help Liverpool offset some of the costs associated with their significant summer spending. The Reds have already splurged nearly £300 million on new signings, including a club-record deal worth up to £116 million for German playmaker Florian Wirtz and £69 million plus add-ons for French forward Hugo Ekitike.

With Nunez's transfer fee expected to be around £53 million, plus potential add-ons taking the total to £65 million, Liverpool's net spend would decrease substantially. This influx of funds will likely aid the club in pursuing other targets, such as Newcastle's Alexander Isak, for whom they've already had a £110 million bid rejected.

Liverpool's Summer Spending:

• Florian Wirtz: Club-record fee of up to £116 million
• Hugo Ekitike: £69 million plus add-ons
• Jeremie Frimpong: Part of the £300 million spending spree
• Milos Kerkez: Also part of the significant summer outlay

Welcome to the squad, Darwin 🤩 pic.twitter.com/hZmRkLSuYH

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 9, 2025

Liverpool's spending spree has seen them invest heavily in new talent, with a current net spend expected to be around £112.5 million after Nunez's departure. This positions them as one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League.

Al-Hilal, led by former Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi, made history by becoming the first Asian club to defeat a Premier League side in an official match when they beat Manchester City 4-3 in the Club World Cup last month. This impressive win showcases the team's growing strength and ambition. Inzaghi, who signed a two-year contract with Al-Hilal until June 2027, brings extensive experience and a winning mentality to the team.

With Inzaghi at the helm, Al-Hilal aims to secure a record-extending 20th league title this season, building on their second-place finish in the Saudi Pro League last term. The team has been actively bolstering its squad, and one of their notable signings is Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Liverpool. Although Theo Hernandez's signing isn't confirmed in recent reports, Al-Hilal has been aggressive in the transfer market, pursuing high-profile players like Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with Inzaghi's endorsement.