Reports suggest Tottenham and Newcastle United are exploring a move for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, who is currently playing in the Middle East. This interest comes as Nunez reportedly struggles to adjust to his new environment and faces potential competition for playing time at his current club. The situation raises questions about his future and the possibility of a return to European football.
Emerging Interest from English Clubs
Recent reports indicate that Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are actively monitoring the situation of Darwin Nunez, a forward previously with Liverpool. Discussions are reportedly underway with representatives acting on Nunez's behalf. These talks are seen as groundwork for a potential transfer back to Europe in the upcoming summer.

Timing: The interest is framed within the context of the summer transfer window.
Actors: Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and representatives of Darwin Nunez are central.
Location: Nunez is currently playing in the Middle East, having left Liverpool.
Player's Current Circumstances and Reported Motivations
Darwin Nunez is currently playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Since his move, he has scored nine goals in 24 matches across all competitions. However, reports suggest that Nunez is finding it difficult to adapt to playing in the Middle East.
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Further complicating his position, the arrival of Karim Benzema at Al-Hilal, along with existing competition, might lead to limited playing opportunities under coach Simeone Inzaghi. This potential scarcity of game time is cited as a reason for Nunez's desire to leave the region.

Performance: Nine goals in 24 games.
Adaptation: Reports suggest difficulties adjusting to the Middle East.
Competition: Arrival of Karim Benzema and existing squad depth are factors.
Motivation: Nunez reportedly seeks to escape limited playing time and return to Europe.
Club-Specific Interest and Transfer Dynamics
Both Tottenham and Newcastle have reportedly held talks with Nunez's representatives.
Tottenham: Their interest is framed as seeking a replacement for Son Heung-min, with Rodrygo of Real Madrid also mentioned as a target.
Newcastle: They have been active in the transfer market, with reports of an opening bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Should that pursuit falter, Gonçalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain is another name linked. Newcastle has also been associated with Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish in other reports.
There is also an earlier report from April 2022 suggesting a £50 million bid from Newcastle for Nunez, with Manchester United also keen at that time. Notably, that report claimed Nunez did not wish to move to Newcastle and preferred a move to London, specifically Tottenham or Arsenal.

Other Interested Parties and Financial Considerations
Beyond Tottenham and Newcastle, other European clubs are reportedly monitoring Nunez's situation.
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Atletico Madrid and Juventus are described as long-term admirers.
Barcelona has also been linked, though wage demands are presented as a potential hurdle.
Nunez's current Transfermarkt value is listed at €35 million. This figure, combined with reports of Al-Hilal's previous openness to a loan deal for Fenerbahçe in February 2026 without a fee, provides a complex financial picture.

Potential Complications and Alternative Targets
The pursuit of Nunez is not without its challenges.
AC Milan: Are reported to have made an attempt to sign Nunez, though a deal is described as complicated due to difficult negotiations. They are also linked with other forwards like Dusan Vlahovic and Ademola Lookman.
Liverpool's Stance: In one instance, Liverpool was reported to be prepared to offer Nunez plus cash in exchange for Newcastle's Alexander Isak. This highlights a potential player-plus-cash dynamic that could emerge.
Conclusion and Unanswered Questions
The reports clearly indicate significant interest from Tottenham and Newcastle United in acquiring Darwin Nunez. His reported dissatisfaction with playing in the Middle East and the potential for reduced game time appear to be the primary drivers behind a possible return to Europe. However, the landscape is complex, with multiple clubs expressing interest, reported negotiation difficulties, and differing player preferences cited in past reports.
The central questions remain:
Will Nunez actively push for a move away from Al-Hilal?
Which club will ultimately present the most compelling offer, both financially and in terms of player ambition?
How will Al-Hilal's valuation and willingness to negotiate impact any potential deal?
Sources
BBC Sport: Tottenham & Newcastle eye Nunez - Sunday's gossip (Published: Aug 3, 2025)
ESPN: Transfer rumors, news: Newcastle eye Ramos as Sesko backup (Published: Aug 3, 2025)
AsianBookie News: Premier League Teams Discuss Return of Former Liverpool Striker (Published: Feb 22, 2026)
BBC Sport: Newcastle transfer rumours: Grealish, Sancho (Published: Jun 12, 2025)
TeamTalk: Transfer Gossip: Newcastle in £50m Darwin Nunez bid but Man Utd plan hijack; Leeds to sign two with Kalvin Phillips money (Published: Apr 16, 2022)
LFC Live: Tottenham & Newcastle eye Nunez - Sunday's gossip (Seen on: Bing)
BBC Sport: Newcastle United transfer rumours: Darwin Nunez, Alexander Isak (Published: Feb 19, 2025)