Chelsea are reportedly showing unexpected interest in signing former Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez from Al Hilal this summer, according to Daily Briefing.
My understanding is that Núñez is very likely to leave the Saudi Pro League club this summer—possibly initially on loan.
Industry sources suggest that Chelsea and Newcastle are among the strongest options for the Uruguay international, who is eager to return to Europe.
Núñez’s time at Liverpool was mixed, so he may not appeal to every supporter, but he did score 25 Premier League goals during his spell in England and won a top-flight title along the way.
Sources on a potential Darwin Núñez move to Chelsea
As one source put it:
“Premier League clubs are lining up for Núñez. There’s a very concrete possibility that he leaves Al Hilal for a return to Europe this summer.”
“Chelsea have followed him for a while and still believe he could bring both spark and additional depth to their forward line.”
Is Núñez right for Chelsea?
At least for now, it’s unclear whether Chelsea will make Núñez a major priority. Still, interest in the 26-year-old appears to be genuine, and it seems he could be available.
One potential complication is his reported wage of £400,000 per week at Al Hilal. However, he may be willing to take a pay cut to secure a way out of Saudi Arabia.
Using the Transfer Fit rating system, we assess Núñez as a medium-level fit for Chelsea—though toward the lower end of that range.
He scores well as a relatively proven striker, which is the type of profile Chelsea need. Even if he isn’t among the very best players in the world, he would likely represent an improvement on Liam Delap, who has struggled.
That said, he’s currently out of form and not especially young, which makes it harder to expect a sudden breakthrough as he moves into his late 20s.
Availability—whether on loan or potentially at a reduced fee—helps raise his score slightly. Still, there’s uncertainty about how any deal would be structured
