Darwin Nunez 'Bid Accepted' for Shock Return to Europe as Liverpool Handed Major Blow

Darwin Nunez's future has taken a surprise turn as he is reportedly set to return to Europe just six months after leaving Liverpool.

On 13 June 2022, Liverpool completed the club-record signing of Nunez in a deal with an initial £64million, rising to a potential £85m.

Just three years into his six-year deal, the Uruguayan left Anfield having made 143 appearances for the Reds, joining Saudi Pro League Al-Hilal on a three-year contract in a deal worth 53m euros (£46.3m).

Since then, Nunez has been featured regularly for his new club, scoring seven goals and assisting five across 22 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

However, it has been widely claimed that the 26-year-old has grown unhappy with life Al Hilal, leading to reports that the Saudi Pro League club have accepted a bid for him to return to Europe in a move that's not good news for Liverpool.

Darwin Nunez could leave Al Hilal this week. (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

In December, several reports claimed that Nunez was ready to leave Al Hilal and had been offered to Argentine side River Plate.

Of course, the move never materialised but rumours of his readiness to leave the club didn't go away, a situation no doubt made worse by Karim Benzema’s controversial move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal this week.

Benzema's arrival no doubt will significantly reduce Nunez's minutes, leading to a report from Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh reports claiming that Al Hilal have accepted an offer for Nunez from Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Although the transfer window is now closed across most of the leagues in Europe, clubs in Turkey remain able to complete transfers until midnight on Friday.

Because of this, Fenerbahce were able to complete the signing of Premier League legend N’Golo Kante join from Al-Ittihad on Wednesday and are believed to be looking to terminate the loan of former Aston Villa star Jhon Duran.

As part of the deal for Kante, Fenerbahce also sold striker Youssef En-Nesyri to Al-Ittihad as a direct replacement for Benzema, perhaps leaving room for Nunez in the Turkish club's squad.

Should Nunez complete a permanent move to Fenerbahce, it would deal a significant financial blow to Liverpool as they would miss out on most of the add-ons included in his transfer last summer.

Nunez made 143 appearances for Liverpool. Image credit: Getty

However, a later report from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed that Nunez's move to Fenerbahce was off.

"Darwin Nunez and Fenerbahce, deal not happening and never close these days," Romano claimed on X.

And, in spite of the reports about his feelings towards his current situation with Al Hilal, his post following the recent 0-0 draw to rivals Al-Ahli appears to suggest he is willing to stay regardless of Benzema's arrival.

"We remain focused and determined in the pursuit of the title," he wrote on X.

As it stands, Al Hilal remain atop the Saudi Pro League table but are just one point ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.