6 months ago
30 ARTICLE AD
Callum McAvoyPublished May 5, 2024, 2:06pm|Updated May 5, 2024, 2:07pm
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez has reportedly emerged as a shock target for Barcelona with both clubs set for a big summer of change.
It is expected that there will be a huge clear out of players at Barcelona due to their salary cap being slashed to £174million by La Liga.
As a result, star player and top earner Robert Lewandowski, who pockets £27m-a-season, is likely to be sold.
Though he will turn 36 in August, the Poland captain is still considered one of the best strikers in the world, scoring 24 and assisting nine in 45 games this season, and it will be a tough task to replace him.
And according to The Sun, Barcelona have identified Nunez as a possible replacement, having come very close to signing the forward four years ago when he was at Almeria.
Though one of Liverpool’s best paid players, Nunez is currently on wages of around £7m which makes him an affordable target and the Spanish giants are hopeful a deal can be done.
It seems unlikely that the Reds will sell however, given that they only signed the Uruguay international from Benfica two years ago in a deal worth up to £85m – a club record.
The 24-year-old has a contract until 2028 and is very happy at Anfield, though some reports suggest the idea of playing for Barcelona is an appealing one to him.
But nothing can be ruled out, especially with Arne Slot set to take the reins from Jurgen Klopp at the end of the campaign, with Liverpool hoping to provide the new manager with a decent transfer budget.
As such, they may be inclined to make one big sale, and Nunez could be the ideal candidate if they receive the right offer and especially if the forward doesn’t fit into Slot’s plans.
Nunez has split opinion during his time at Anfield, with his tenacity and physical prowess praised, though he continues to miss huge chances which have cost his side dear in certain games.
He has so far recorded 33 goals and 17 assists in 93 appearances for the club, but has hit the woodwork nine times this season, nearly double more than any other Premier League player, and missed 26 big chances – behind only Erling Haaland.
Aside from Nunez, Liverpool could offload talisman Mohamed Salah should they receive another monster bid from the Saudi Pro League, but it is said that they don’t plan to do so even after the Egyptian King’s recent bust-up with Klopp.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Manchester United to offer Harry Maguire in deal for key transfer target
