It sounds like something out of a transfer rumor fever dream, but a well-connected Uruguayan journalist is insisting it’s real: Darwin Nunez might be pulling on a Liverpool jersey again just one year after leaving for Saudi Arabia.
Martin Chaquero, who has credible ties inside the Uruguayan national team setup, is reporting that an agreement is already in place for Nunez to return to Anfield this summer. According to Chaquero, the deal is done — though no official confirmation is expected until after Uruguay’s 2026 World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia later today.
Why Nunez Wants Out of Al-Hilal
Nunez left Liverpool for Al-Hilal last summer in a £45 million move. But things have soured fast. The 26-year-old striker was excluded from the club’s Saudi Pro League squad for the second half of the 2025/26 season after Al-Hilal signed Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad in January and ran out of foreign player registration slots.
That kind of sidelining stings for a player who was once Liverpool’s club-record signing at £64 million. Nunez’s camp has been in active talks with Al-Hilal to terminate his contract, paving the way for a return to European football.
A Perfect Storm at Anfield
Liverpool suddenly has a pressing need for another attacker. Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious Achilles injury and isn’t expected back until 2027. That leaves Alexander Isak as the primary option up front, with little proven depth behind him.
Nunez would offer a very different kind of threat — raw pace, relentless pressing, and a knack for chaos in the box. During his three seasons at Liverpool, he scored 40 goals in 143 appearances and won a Premier League title in his final campaign before heading to the Middle East.
English media have floated Nunez’s name as a potential solution in recent weeks, but the Uruguayan journalist’s claim takes it a step further, suggesting a return is already locked in.
What Happens Next
Nunez has reportedly asked that all the focus stay on Uruguay’s World Cup campaign for now. His first match back on the global stage? Against Saudi Arabia — the same nation where his club career hit a dead end. The irony is not lost on anyone.
Neither Liverpool nor Al-Hilal have commented on the reports. But if Chaquero’s information holds up, one of the more surprising comeback stories in recent transfer history is about to become real.
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