Reports are circulating that Darwin Nunez, the forward for Liverpool, has caught the attention of Barcelona, who are contemplating making a surprising bid for him during the upcoming summer transfer window. Nunez, hailing from Uruguay and aged 24, made his move to Anfield in 2022 for a substantial £72 million fee, a transfer that coincided with Erling Haaland’s switch to Manchester City.
Since joining Liverpool, Nunez has shown promise on the field but has struggled to match the prolific scoring achievements of Haaland, a challenging feat for any striker to achieve. In his 62 appearances in the Premier League, Nunez has managed to score 20 goals and provide 11 assists, which is considered a decent return on the investment made in him by Liverpool.
According to reports from The Sun, Barcelona has expressed keen interest in Nunez, seeing him as a potential successor to the legendary Robert Lewandowski. The Catalan giants are on the lookout for a replacement for the 35-year-old Lewandowski, who continues to be one of the highest earners at the club despite his advancing age.
With two years left on his contract, Barcelona is planning to relieve themselves of Lewandowski’s hefty salary burden after the 2023/24 season. Nunez has been identified as a suitable candidate to fill the role of the starting number nine in Xavi’s squad for the upcoming season, aiming to step into the shoes of the experienced Lewandowski.
While Nunez currently enjoys a substantial weekly wage of around £140,000 at Liverpool, this figure is significantly less than what Lewandowski commands. This financial aspect is crucial for Barcelona given their ongoing financial challenges and the need to balance their wage bill effectively.
Jamie Carragher, a prominent football figure, recently shared his thoughts on Nunez, acknowledging his efforts on the field but also highlighting areas where improvement is needed. Carragher emphasized the importance of Nunez delivering consistently, especially in crucial matches and against tough opponents, to truly fulfill his potential and meet the expectations set for a player of his caliber.