£60m star SACRIFICED to fund summer striker upgrade

Liverpool are set for a summer shakeup in their striking department.

Anfield Watch revealed that Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were among the players whose futures at the club were under immediate threat.

Furthermore, there could also be exits for Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz while the uncertain contract situation revolving around Mohamed Salah needs to be sorted.

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Those outgoings could earn sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot enough money for a frontline refit, with plenty of star names linked as potential incomings.

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The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Igor Paixao, Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike are among the names associated with an Anfield arrival. And Liverpool could afford to splurge in summer provided they make enough in transfer income.

To that extent, it is Nunez who could well earn them the most money in the summer window.

Nunez on the way out

Signed in summer 2022 and under contract until 2028, the Uruguayan is yet to truly convince in a Liverpool shirt and has been relegated to a substitute role under Slot.

That is not what is expected from the club’s record signing - with the fee paid to Benfica reaching up to £85 million.

Liverpool were close to selling the 25-year-old in winter with interest mounting from Saudi Arabian sides Al Nassr and Al Hilal but owing to a lack of replacement options he stayed on Merseyside.

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But that is not to say his future is secure. This season he’s only scored seven times in 41 outings overall and has started just eight Premier League matches.

The writing would appear to be on the wall for the fiery striker with Saudi giants ready and waiting to bid in summer.

Liverpool want at least £60m for Nunez

And now the Athletic has revealed Liverpool’s demands. If the Reds can get between £60m and £70m for Darwin then he will be on his way.

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“With Nunez down the pecking order at Anfield, a move might suit all parties come the summer,” a report reads.

“If they could get between £60m-£70m from Saudi Arabia for the former Benfica man that would be a significant windfall to put towards buying a replacement.”

The price tags for Joao Pedro and Alexander Isak have already reached dizzying proportions but deals could be done for the likes of Matheus Cunha or Ekitike for around the same amount received for Darwin.

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Liverpool might well be preparing to cut their losses on their most expensive-ever player, whose career on Merseyside is in danger of fizzling out.