Darwin Nunez emerges as KEY to £38m wonderkid deal

It looks as though Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool er ne darwin career is coming to an end.

Having signed for the club for a record £85 million fee back in 2022, the Uruguayan simply hasn’t impressed on a consistent basis.

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He has lost the trust of Arne Slot, the Reds’ head coach, and is behind not only Diogo Jota but also Luis Diaz in the centre-forward pecking order.

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The 25-year-old appears a player in need of a fresh start and there hasn’t been a shortage of links in the transfer market.

From Newcastle to Fenerbahce, from Atletico Madrid to AC Milan, several top clubs are reported to have taken a look at the striker, whose terms expire in 2028.

Nunez named as 'tempting' River Plate target

One intriguing option which has opened up in the last few days is a return to South America, with River Plate. La Pagina Millonaria states that River’s current predicament up front could lead them to a deal for Liverpool’s out-of-favour No9.

“Miguel Borja's contract with the club expires on December 31st, and so far there has been no progress regarding his renewal,” a report states.

“Aside from the uncertainty surrounding whether he will leave for free or not, Marcelo Gallardo knows that sooner rather than later he will have to replace him with a top name.

“Joaquín Correa, Ángel Correa, and José López are some of the names on the table to strengthen the forward line.

“In the last few hours, the future of another South American striker who could be of interest has also been revealed.

“Knowing that River Plate could be looking for a number nine, Nuñez seems tempting as a name, although it goes without saying that it would be a very complicated process if it existed.”

Mastantuono chased by Europe's top teams

River couldn’t afford to buy Nunez outright and give him a pay packet that he could earn at Liverpool. But there is a possibility that the Reds could opt to sweeten any deal for River wonderkid Franco Mastantuono by including Darwin on favourable terms.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder-cum-winger is taking the world by storm, scoring a viral goal in last Monday’s victory over Gimnasia, and has got clubs all over Europe queuing up for his signature.

The Liverpool links aren’t new and Sky Sports reported this week that both Manchester United and Chelsea are in the running. Under contract until 2028, the left-footer has a release clause of €45m (£38m) in his deal.

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Liverpool could find themselves as preferred bidders if they were to perhaps offer Darwin to River on a loan deal with heavily subsidised wages. That is one trump card the Reds have got to play in the chase for Mastantuono.