Darwin Nunez has emerged as a shock target for Barcelona, with the Catalans reportedly targeting the Liverpool striker as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Nunez has endured a mixed time since his €85 million transfer from Benfica in 2022, often proving wasteful in front of goal but still providing 31 goal contrubitions in all competitions this season.
Barcelona are looking to sell Lewandowski this summer with the club unable to afford his astronomical salary, which is due to rise to around €30m for the upcoming season.
With Barca looking unlikely to meet La Liga’s salary cap, The Sun report that Nunez is being considered as a cheaper replacement for Lewandowski, with his salary thought to be on a quarter of the Pole’s wages despite being one of Liverpool’s highest earners.
Barcelona believe they could raise enough money through sales to meet Liverpool’s asking price, assuming the Premier League giants are prepared to do business for a player who still has four years remaining on his contract.
Nunez, meanwhile, is said to be ‘perfectly happy’ at Anfield and is not pressing for a transfer, however sources in South America insist the idea of playing for Barcelona does appeal to him.
Liverpool looking to increase budget for new manager
Liverpool could be tempted into a sale for Nunez in order to increase the transfer budget for incoming manager Arne Slot, who is on course to replace Jurgen Klopp at the helm.
The Reds are, once again, expecting to face interest from Saudi Arabia in Mohamed Salah but if that transfer fails to materialise, Liverpool are thought to be ‘more likely’ to listen to any offers for Nunez.
Liverpool are unlikely to want more upheaval given the departure of Klopp and particularly with Salah facing an uncertain future as he heads into the final 12 months of his contract.
The need to replace Nunez also means that his exit would not be ideal, while it is undetermined what price Liverpool would demand for a player who was the club’s record signing two years ago.
