Liverpool targeting A-list £113m Darwin Nunez replacement - after club chief confirmed summer departure: report

Prospective Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Darwin Nunez
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot wants Darwin Nunez gone – and replaced with a nine-figure superstar who's certain to move this summer.

That's the outrageous claim being made today, as the Reds' Uruguayan hitman faces more criticism for his recent form. Nunez has scored just twice in the Premier League since the start of March, with high-profile misses costing Liverpool in their pursuit of a Quadruple. 

The striker cost Liverpool a reported €75 million, with €25m owed to Benfica should he hit certain thresholds on Merseyside – but according to The Telegraph, Nunez's biggest ally at Anfield is the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, plunging his future in doubt.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks on as striker Darwin Nunez warms up ahead of the Carabao Cup fourth round match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on December 22, 2022 in Manchester, England.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stuck by Darwin Nunez (Image credit: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

A report from Corriere Dello Sport via TEAMtalk says that incoming boss Slot wants to replace Nunez with Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, making the Napoli star his No.1 target. 

Osimhen has already been confirmed to be leaving southern Italy by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, with a £113m release clause on his head. Chelsea and Arsenal are said to be interested, with Paris Saint-Germain sniffing around, too, given that Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid-bound. 

In FourFourTwo's view, this story seems just a little too outlandish, however. 

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 3 March 2024.

Victor Osimhen is wanted by Liverpool (Image credit: Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Nunez has spent just two seasons at Liverpool and given the uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, it would be a bold move to sell him. There is a lack of buyers for nine-figure forwards right now – and the Reds would be lucky to recoup the fee they spent.

Osimhen is worth €110m, according to Transfermarkt

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool have reportedly decided on Mohamed Salah's future, following his row with Jurgen Klopp. There are several options on offer to the Reds, however, with key transfer decisions being made ahead of Jurgen Klopp's departureSalah has been backed to leave, following his clash with Klopp on the touchline

Arne Slot has been tipped to raid Feyenoord for one star ahead of moving to Anfield, while Darwin Nunez has been warned over his future.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.