NEWCASTLE, England — Newcastle United FC are closely monitoring the contract status of Uruguayan forward Darwin Núñez ahead of his expected departure from Saudi Professional League club Al-Hilal, according to reporting from Mundo Deportivo and Chronicle Live.
The 26-year-old striker is prepared to return to European football this summer after agreeing in principle to mutually terminate his contract with the Riyadh-based club. Núñez’s domestic registration was frozen on February 13, following Al-Hilal’s winter acquisition of French forward Karim Benzema, which caused the club to exceed the Saudi Pro League’s regulatory limit on foreign players. Consequently, Núñez has not made a domestic appearance since February, though he remained eligible for the AFC Champions League Elite.
The pending free agent previously spent three seasons in the English Premier League with Liverpool FC, where he compiled 40 goals across 143 total appearances before transferring to Al-Hilal for a reported £46.3 million. Newcastle United, who are seeking offensive reinforcements following a season impacted by the departure of Anthony Gordon and limited goal production from forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, have identified Núñez as a potential target.
Newcastle United face significant market competition for the forward’s signature. Premier League rivals Chelsea FC, managed by Xabi Alonso, are tracking the player, while La Liga club FC Barcelona are also reviewing Núñez as a financially viable alternative to Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. Any potential move to the Premier League would require the striker to agree to a substantial reduction from his current Saudi Arabian salary. Núñez is currently with the Uruguay national squad preparing for the international tournament under manager Marcelo Bielsa.