Liverpool transfers: Jose Mourinho holds Fenerbahce talks with Darwin Nunez

Jose Mourinho and Jorge Mendes are plotting a deal which will take Darwin Nunez from Liverpool to Fenerbahce on an initial season-long loan deal. 

That’s according to a report in Turkish outlet Ajansspor, which claims that the Special One sees Nunez as the ideal candidate to replace the recently departed Michy Batshuayi. 

The report claims that Fener have made an offer to Darwin, who signed for Liverpool in a deal which could reach €85 million back in the summer of 2022. 

The Uruguay striker is under contract at Anfield until 2028 and it’s highly unlikely that the £140,000-a-week star will be persuaded to drop the Premier League for the Turkish Super Lig any time soon.

Moreover, Liverpool are not likely to cash their chips on Darwin just yet, much less lose him on a loan. 

Darwin, 25, is on a hot streak in front of goal, netting 10 times in his last seven Uruguay appearances and is among the leading goalscorers at this summer’s Copa America. 

Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has unlocked Darwin, ensuring he gets into dangerous areas with more regularity and he also has a constant supply from La Celeste’s creators. 

New Liverpool coach Arne Slot is no doubt looking forward to seeing what he can do with Nunez next season after he finished his last club season in poor form. 

He was dropped by Jurgen Klopp and unjustly criticised across social media by Liverpool fans. Then he deleted all references to Liverpool from his social media accounts, sparking rumours that he was unhappy. 

That led to transfer speculation involving Barcelona but the hard-up Catalans currently do not have the means to sign the ex-Benfica star. 

Mourinho holds Darwin transfer talks

However, the report claims that both Mourinho AND Mendes have held talks with Darwin about tempting him to Istanbul.

Mendes represents Nunez and has long-standing links to Mourinho, who took up the reins at Fenerbahce this off-season. 

It’s been reported that Fener would seek to take Darwin on loan although a permanent fee should the deal be extended at a later date has not been mentioned.

The Portuguese hasn’t worked since leaving Roma back in January and has been tasked with reestablishing Fener as Turkey’s top team.