Liverpool are set for a busy end to the transfer market with players coming in as well as going out.
The Reds have sat tight all summer long and have instead chosen to condense their business into the final days of the window.
While that was a risky strategy from Arne Slot and Richard Hughes, it looks set to pay off in some way at least. Liverpool are close to signing Federico Chiesa and that looks like excellent business.
Meanwhile, they are now in a rush to get those deemed surplus to requirements by Slot out of Anfield before Friday’s deadline.
One player who has so far failed to play a key role for the new head coach is Darwin Nunez. And after some rumblings appeared that the Uruguayan is pushing to leave Liverpool, his future has now been cleared up.
Darwin Nunez is happy at Liverpool
Nunez did not end the season in good form at all for Liverpool. The 25-year-old failed to score in his final 10 games of the campaign.
This had looked like it could fuel a summer of rumours about Darwin leaving the Reds. However, it was made very clear all the way back in May that Nunez would not be sold.
Not long after that, there were reports that Slot sees Nunez as being crucial to his system and would make the former Benfica striker a key player this season.
Although that is yet to happen, the campaign is still very young and Nunez returned very late to pre-season. And despite his lack of current game time, journalist Fabrizio Romano says that Nunez is completely committed to Liverpool. He is not leaving.
“I was calling some of my sources to understand about Darwin,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“First of all I saw some rumours about Arsenal. Nothing, there is absolutely nothing between Arsenal, Liverpool and the agents of Darwin, nothing. I have no idea where this is coming from.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool target Federico Chiesa from nationality to stats
“I think it’s important to clarify that Darwin is absolutely not planning to leave Liverpool, at least not this summer. I can guarantee this,” adds the transfer expert.
“He is really, really focused on Liverpool, he’s very happy with the new approach under Arne Slot. So, full focus for Darwin on Liverpool.
“This season is going to be important, he wants to be an important player so let’s see how this season will go. But for this summer it’s never been a possibility for Darwin to leave Liverpool. And Darwin has never asked Liverpool to go.
“I can guarantee this from those close to Darwin Nunez. So, forget all the rumours you see about Darwin.”
Will Darwin Nunez be a key man for Liverpool?
It was notable that Nunez was one of the players Slot mentioned very early on into his time at Liverpool.
The Dutchman was at pains to point out that he had called the Uruguay international upon taking over to let him know exactly what his plans were for him.
Clearly, Nunez was pleased with what he heard from Slot, or things may have gone a different way this summer.
From what we’ve seen early doors, though, Darwin does not really look a natural fit for the way the head coach wants to play. For the time being, Diogo Jota appears more suited to being Liverpool’s central forward.
That may change, however, and it will be interesting to see how Slot tinkers with things as Nunez gets back to full fitness. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Darwin earn a more central role.
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