Football player EDEN HAZARD, currently with Liverpool, transitioning to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, with Uruguayan forward Nunez in tow.
Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian football club, has made a significant impact in the transfer market this season, bringing in Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez from Liverpool on a three-year deal. The deal, worth around €53 million, could potentially rise to €65 million with performance-based bonuses.
Núñez joined Liverpool last year from Benfica for an initial fee of 75 million euros, but struggled for consistency at Anfield, scoring 40 goals and providing 26 assists in 143 games in all competitions. Despite this, he found himself on the fringes of the first team during Liverpool's title-winning campaign last season, starting only eight league matches and netting five times.
The transfer fee will help finance Liverpool's outlay of approximately 300 million pounds for the 2025-26 season, as the club looks to strengthen its squad.
Al-Hilal's new manager, Simone Inzaghi, has been busy in the transfer market, securing a club-record fee of up to 116 million pounds for Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz. Inzaghi's side also signed Theo Hernandez from AC Milan and French forward Hugo Ekitike for 69 million pounds plus add-ons.
Al-Hilal's impressive transfer business has not gone unnoticed, as they became the first Asian club to defeat a Premier League side in an official match when they beat Manchester City at the Club World Cup last month. The club aims to secure a record-extending 20th league title this season.
The Al-Hilal Club Company announced the signing of Núñez on their website, marking a fresh start for the Uruguayan forward. Núñez will be looking to find his form in Saudi Arabia and help Al-Hilal secure their 20th league title.
References:
[1] BBC Sport. (2023, January 1). Darwin Núñez joins Al-Hilal from Liverpool on three-year deal. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60235132
[2] Sky Sports. (2023, January 1). Darwin Núñez joins Al-Hilal from Liverpool on three-year deal. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11693/12490971/darwin-nunez-joins-al-hilal-from-liverpool-on-three-year-deal
[3] Goal.com. (2023, January 1). Darwin Núñez joins Al-Hilal from Liverpool on three-year deal. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en/news/darwin-nunez-joins-al-hilal-from-liverpool-on-three-year-deal/blt335949f2936359d5
[4] The Guardian. (2023, January 1). Darwin Núñez joins Al-Hilal from Liverpool on three-year deal. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/01/darwin-nunez-joins-al-hilal-from-liverpool-on-three-year-deal
Núñez's departure from Liverpool, a renowned Premier League club, opens up an opportunity for him to regain his form in the European leagues, particularly with Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian football club. Al-Hilal, known for their recent victories against European teams like Manchester City, are aiming to win their 20th league title with the addition of Núñez to their squad.
