Darwin Núñez denied Mohamed Salah reunion as ex-Liverpool star "completely changes his plans"
Former Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez's future has been something of a saga this summer.
12 months ago, the Uruguayan forward departed Liverpool for Al-Hilal, sold for around £46.3 million. He started well to life in Riyāḍh, scoring nine goals in 24 appearances for the Blue Wave. However, after his club signed Karim Benzema in January, due to a limit on overseas players in the Saudi Pro League, Núñez had to be de-registered.
Therefore, his most-recent club appearance came in the AFC Champions League against Al-Wahda on 16 February, actually scoring twice, but frozen out thereafter.
As a result it was guaranteed that the 27 year old would be on the move during this transfer window, but his next destination is not what had been expected.
Widespread reports made it clear that Núñez's most-likely destination was Türkiye. At various points, it appeared as though both Beşiktaş and then Trabzonspor, Mohamed Salah's new club of course, were leading the race to add the Uruguayan to their ranks.
However, on Tuesday night, journalist Sacha Tavolieri revealed that the striker has "completely changes his plans". He notes that the centre-forward was on his way to Trabzonspor, with the two clubs having agreed a season-long loan move. This, as already noted, would have seen him reunited with Salah at Şenol Güneş Spor Kompleksi.
However, Saudi Pro League side Diriyah have now "hijacked" the deal, agreeing to cover 75% of Núñez's astronomically high wages, something Trabzonspor are unable to match. Tavolieri concludes that "the final decision regarding his future" is yet to be made, but it seems as though he is set to swap one Saudi side for another.
So, who are Diriyah? Well, they are newly-promoted into the Saudi top-flight. Last season, they ended up third in the Saudi First Division League, defeating Al-Jabalain and then Al-Ula in the play-offs to gain promotion. Thus, this forthcoming campaign will be their first-ever as a top division outfit.
They are though managed by Dutchman Alfred Schreuder, having also poached Crystal Palace Sporting Director Dougie Freedman, who is very highly regarded. In terms of players, Diriyah boast journeyman Gambian centre-back Omar Colley, former Sevilla midfielder Óscar Rodríguez as well as strikers Gaëtan Laborde and Georges-Kévin Nkoudou, the latter once of Tottenham.
Nevertheless, this is to say that Núñez will be the star at Diriyah. Many may have hoped he would move to a higher level than a newly-promoted Saudi club, but the Uruguayan just needs to be playing games again, and will surely score plenty of goals.
