Napoli have officially withdrawn from the race to sign Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, ending weeks of speculation over a potential move.
Napoli made Nunez their top target and had held several rounds of discussions in a bid to strike a deal.
However, Liverpool stood firm on their valuation, prompting the Italian club to move on and finalise a deal for Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca instead.
Nunez, who scored in Liverpool’s recent pre-season outing against Preston North End, was keen on a switch to Italy, where he believed he could reignite his career after a challenging campaign.
The striker was used sparingly in the second half of last season and fell down the pecking order, with Luis Diaz frequently preferred in a central role during Liverpool’s title-winning run.
Despite his desire to join Napoli, Nunez is now at a crossroads. Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have made enquiries, and although no bid has yet been accepted.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte had hoped to pair the Uruguayan with Romelu Lukaku in a new-look attack, but the club refused to meet Liverpool’s valuation.
The collapse of the deal has dealt a blow to Liverpool’s transfer plans. They were hoping to use funds from Nunez’s sale to sign either Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak.
Nunez’s career now enters a critical phase, with Liverpool eager to resolve his future before the end of the transfer window.
If a move to Saudi Arabia fails to materialise, the striker could remain at Anfield for another season, although both parties would prefer to part ways.
