Why Liverpool didn’t sell Darwin Nunez in January despite £59m bid

Add as preferred source on Google

Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool future has been questioned since the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Uruguay international is their club-record signing, but over the last couple of seasons, he’s failed to live up to expectations.

Indeed, there have been times when the former Benfica man has shown his class, such as Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brentford back in January, but that side of him doesn’t come out often enough.

This lack of consistency has brought up the question of whether the 25-year-old has enough quality or potential to be the Reds’ main striker.

But, despite all this doubt, Liverpool rejected a bid from the Saudi Pro League for Nunez in January, with the reason why now being revealed.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes believed Darwin Nunez would be ‘better served’ by staying at Anfield

Back in January, a £59million bid was rejected by Liverpool to allow them to keep Nunez.

However, six months on, it feels like the Uruguay international is now closer to the exit door than ever before, with Saudi Pro League and La Liga clubs all vying for his transfer.

And, as per a report from talkSPORT, the reason why Liverpool kept the striker in Merseyside rather than choosing to sell him on has been revealed.

‘Al Nassr had a €70m [£59m] bid rejected in January and Liverpool are using this number as a yardstick for valuation,” they wrote.

‘FSG’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes decided not to sell Nunez mid-season, believing the Uruguay international would be better served helping Liverpool win the Premier League title.’

Liverpool made the right choice by not selling Darwin Nunez in the winter transfer window

If Liverpool had chosen to accept Al-Nassr’s £59million bid in the winter transfer window, it’s unknown whether the Reds would have won the Premier League title.

Although Nunez’s injury-time brace against Brentford was just a small cog in their title win, it felt like exactly what the club needed to spur them on.

There have been times when Nunez has looked like the best player on the pitch at Anfield, but the main problem is his consistency.

His final third form has been atrocious this term, with the striker having his worst goal-scoring campaign of his Liverpool career after only netting seven goals.

But, whether he stays or goes, there’s no denying that his impact on the club will never be forgotten.

That is, even if fans have loathed him on more than one occasion.