Napoli have pulled out of the race to sign Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez due to a significant gap in valuation between the two sides, according to reports.
The Uruguayan’s future looks increasingly likely to lie away from Anfield, with numerous clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia keen on acquiring the striker.
Napoli were previously thought to be at the top of the pile and had been negotiating a cut-price deal for the 26-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Benfica for a whopping £85million in the summer of 2022.
The Serie A champions were believed to be willing to pay £47.5m to bring Nunez, who only made eight starts as Liverpool strolled to the Premier League title, across to Naples.
But now, according to Sky in Italy, a deal can be considered off and Antonio Conte‘s side have instead opted to sign Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca instead.
The Italian giants have agreed a loan deal for the 24-year-old attacker, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Napoli have informed Liverpool that they no longer intend to sign striker Darwin Nunez
The Italian giants have reportedly opted to sign Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca on an intial loan deal
Al-Hilal are now deemed to be at the front of the queue for Nunez with the striker still expected to leave
The move opens the door for Saudi Pro League sides to make a beeline for Nunez, with Al-Hilal now at the front of the queue.
Nunez struggled for minutes in Liverpool’s triumphant campaign, in which they won their 20th league title – finishing 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal – with the striker only scoring five goals and supplying three assists.
Both were the lowest tallies he has produced since arriving at Anfield three years ago, with Slot regularly preferring Luis Diaz in the No. 9 role.
And with Nunez still looking likely to leave this summer, Liverpool are lining up a mega-move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Reds are prepared to smash their transfer record for the second time this summer to sign the Swede.
The Premier League champions have already made the statement signing of the summer by signing Florian Wirtz for £116m, and are now willing to spend in excess of £125m to land Isak, should they be given any encouragement.
Newcastle remain adamant that Isak is not for sale and want to enhance his £ 120,000-per-week contract – a task that should have been done under the watch of former Director of Football Paul Mitchell. However, talks stalled earlier this year, and there has been no progress.
Isak is currently with Newcastle’s squad in Austria for a training camp, and they want to enhance their forward line by adding Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, their first bid has fallen way short of the Germans’ expectations: they want €100m (£86m) for the France Under-21 international.
Nunez only made eight starts as Liverpool cruised to the Premier League title last campaign
Liverpool are prepared to smash their transfer record again to sign Alexander Isak this summer
The fee for Isak would surpass the total £116m which they could shell out for Wirtz if all add-ons clauses are met
Mail Sport understands that Newcastle have bid £70m for Ekitike – a player in whom Liverpool also retain an interest – but the structure of what they have offered doesn’t tally with what Frankfurt want.
A striker is Liverpool’s main priority this summer, regardless of whether Newcastle manage to fend off their interest for Isak, who finished second behind Mohamed Salah in the Golden Boot last season, scoring 23 goals.
Aside from Isak and Etikete, Liverpool have discussed Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Yoane Wissa, the livewire Brentford forward who was close to joining Arsenal in January.
In terms of outgoings, Liverpool rejected a £58.5m proposal for Diaz from Bayern Munich on Tuesday, as they hold out for their £86m asking price.