With Liverpool eyeing up more incomings, with Marc Guehi and Alexander Isak appearing to be the most likely names to arrive on Merseyside, Richard Hughes and his team have continued to work on outgoings. A sale that could be linked to Isak, Darwin Nunez has reportedly agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, a move that could force the Uruguayan to follow an incredibly strict rule, one that affects his family.
Not only have Liverpool established themselves as a viable destination for superstars this summer, with Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz joining the Merseyside Reds, and Isak desperate to do so, they have also made it clear they are astute sellers. Receiving handsome fees for the likes of Luis Diaz and Jarell Quansah, the next one appears to be from Darwin Nunez.
Reportedly open to a move to Saudi Arabia, the transfer could offer a unique issue, with a law in the country meaning Nunez might have to live elsewhere, or alone. A rule that has only been bypassed by Cristiano Ronaldo, it is yet to be seen if the former Benfica man will also get special treatment.
Darwin Nunez Faces Unique Law Ahead of Reported Move to Saudi Arabia
The law has only been excused for Cristiano Ronaldo
As per The Athletic, Al Hilal has agreed a fee of £46.2 million for Liverpool’s number nine. A fee that is far from the £70 million they had rejected in January. It will mark a significant loss for the Premier League champions, who signed the Uruguayan for £64 million from Benfica in 2022.
Having admitted to not realising how “strong” the Premier League would be, his struggles meant he only achieved a tally of 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Merseyside-based team. Now set for a new beginning, it might offer the forward a unique challenge off the pitch.
As is the law in Saudi Arabia, couples who aren’t married can not live together. A rule only Cristiano Ronaldo can ignore, Nunez and his long-time partner will have to think about their options as the pair and their two kids fly out to the Middle East this summer.
“Although the laws of the kingdom still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have recently started to turn a blind eye and no longer prosecute anyone … Nowadays Saudi authorities no longer interfere in this matter – for expatriates – even though the law prohibits cohabitation without marriage.”
Darwin Nunez’s Merseyside Struggles
The Uruguayan failed to light up the Premier League
Nunez arrived at Anfield following a season in which he scored 34 goals in 41 games, and although the transition from the Portuguese league to the Premier League hasn’t been replicated successfully in recent years, there were hopes that he could follow in the footsteps of former teammate Diaz.
As per xGPhilosophy on X, Liverpool’s number nine has scored 25 goals in the Premier League from an xG of 40.34, meaning he should have scored 15 more goals than he has. A stat that makes it even more remarkable that they won the Premier League in 2024/25, Slot’s side will hope this departure can make way for Isak to take over the number nine shirt at Anfield.