Núñez moves to Al Hilal

Darwin Núñez leaves Liverpool for Al Hilal in a deal around 46 million euros, while West Ham sign Mads Hermansen and Sunderland pursue Omar Alderete.

Núñez joins Al Hilal from Liverpool for 46 million euros

Darwin Núñez has completed a transfer from Liverpool to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. The deal is understood to be around €53m upfront and is subject to international clearance before it becomes final. Núñez arrived at Anfield in June 2022 from Benfica for £64m and scored 40 goals in 143 appearances, but he started only eight Premier League games last season as Liverpool won the title.

The sale opens space in Liverpool's forward line, following a busy spending period that has included Hugo Ekitiké arriving in a near £300m outlay and the No 9 shirt being filled in some form. Liverpool continue to be linked with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak after a £110m bid was rejected last week. West Ham United have completed the £18m signing of Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who will reconnect with goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren. The club also saw Lukasz Fabianski leave at the end of last season. In the broader market, Sunderland are poised to sign Omar Alderete from Getafe for around €12m, as clubs reassess their defensive options ahead of the new campaign.

Núñez’s exit signals a shift in how big clubs balance ambition with balance sheets. Liverpool have spent heavily to refresh their attack but are now converting that approach into outgoings that fund a new wave of signings. The move also underscores a market where wealthier leagues outside Europe’s traditional heartland can reshape the competitive landscape fast. For the players, it highlights a global market where career plans are increasingly tied to project stability, wage structure, and playing time. West Ham’s Hermansen arrival and Sunderland’s pursuit of Alderete show midtable and rising clubs acting decisively to plug gaps before the season begins.

Highlights

Market moves fast and football keeps writing new chapters.