Major surprise at Barcelona: Darwin Nunez

Barcelona's search for a centre-forward is taking shape around an unexpected name. According to Mundo Deportivo, Darwin Nunez has been added to Barcelona's shortlist as a potential alternative should a move for Julian Alvarez fail to materialise. The Al-Hilal striker is understood to believe a deal could be completed at a relatively low cost.

The player's name emerged in an interesting context. Nunez's name came up during contacts Jorge Mendes had with Al-Hilal over Joao Cancelo; Al-Hilal's management are reported to be open to the player's departure, with Nunez said to hold other offers from Turkish clubs and abroad.

The player's current situation explains this interest. Unable to feature in league matches since February due to foreign-player quota restrictions following Karim Benzema's arrival, the 26-year-old Uruguayan striker is seen as a "low-cost" option for Barcelona, a profile particularly attractive given the club's Financial Fair Play constraints.

However, the latest developments seriously complicate this scenario. According to an ESPN report from a few hours ago, Nunez's current tax residency status in Saudi Arabia has emerged as a significant obstacle that seriously complicates a move to Spain; as a result, a Barcelona transfer this summer appears unlikely.

The player's career history also provides background to this file. Having joined Liverpool from Benfica for €64 million in 2022 and scored 40 goals in 143 appearances in England, Nunez moved to Al-Hilal in August 2025.

Source: Mundo Deportivo
Image: Transfermarkt