Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez remains a marmite player at Anfield, but his recent erasure of the Reds from his Instagram account, and a journey to Barcelona, where Ronald Araujo posted a photo with him, have sparked exit speculation.
Reports in the Catalan capital claim that Nunez would prioritise a move to Barcelona, the Blaugrana have him on their shortlist to strengthen their frontline, and that agent Jorge Mendes, who has strong links to President Joan Laporta, is keen to move him from this summer. All of these links hinge on the hypothetical exit of Robert Lewandowski though.
However Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has moved to dampen talk of an exit for the Uruguayan, as covered by EOTK.
“There is no speculation. That must be external speculation. It’s just a situation we are in, Darwin was definitely not happy missing that chance (v Tottenham). He was unlucky in so many situations where he is doing everything right and ball still doesn’t go in.”
Klopp on Nunez: There is no speculation. That must be external speculation. It's just a situation we are in, Darwin was definitely not happy missing that chance (v Tottenham). He was unlucky in so many situations where he is doing everything right and ball still doesn't go in
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) May 10, 2024
“That’s really tough for a young man and he’s going through it right now. Everybody has to go through this. You help him if you can but it’s part of a footballer’s career. His problem is he is that good he is constantly in those moments – if he wasn’t, then he wouldn’t be.”
🚨 Whenever Vitor Roque has played, he didn't do it in his natural position. Barça signed him as a striker, but Xavi has almost always played him on the wings. @joaquimpiera
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 10, 2024
Lewandowski’s huge wages and age mean that the Blaugrana are likely to be open to a departure for the Polish striker. However their ability to spend on a replacement will be limited in all likelihood, even if he did accept an exit, and Liverpool would in all probability require a large chunk of the €85m they spent on Nunez back. However Lewandowski has been adamant he will not leave at any rate.
Xavi is very hypocrite he talk like his father set up Barcelona.What did the boy Vitor Roque has Done to him because his agent talked his mind.So you want to loan him out why always this player the bright skriker like Ronaldo Nazario