Darwin Núñez backed for rapid Premier League comeback with ‘ideal’ club fit
Darwin Núñez has been tipped for a quick return to the Premier League, less than a year after departing Liverpool.
After playing a key role in helping the Reds secure a historic Premier League title under Arne Slot, Núñez left Anfield to join Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal in a £46 million deal.
Since his move, the Uruguayan striker has featured eight times for the Riyadh club, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
Although Núñez is contracted to Al Hilal until 2028, rumours are already swirling about a possible comeback to England. Former Premier League and World Cup-winning defender Marcel Desailly has publicly backed him for a second spell in the league, suggesting Chelsea should make a move.
Desailly, who made 222 appearances for the Blues, believes Núñez would be an ideal solution to Chelsea’s ongoing striker troubles. The London club have struggled to find a reliable No.9 despite adding Joao Pedro and Liam Delap in the summer, while youngsters Marc Guiu and Tyrique George also compete for the role.
“Núñez, for me, was perfect — spot on,” Desailly told OLGB. “He’s young, and although things didn’t fully work out for him at Liverpool, the fact they signed him shows he has real potential. With confidence and the right system under Maresca, he could have been a great fit for Chelsea.
“He wouldn’t cost too much either. Personally, I’d have loved to see him in the squad. If things aren’t going well for him in Saudi Arabia, he could be the one to return.”
Núñez joined Liverpool in 2022 for an initial £64 million but never quite became the consistent goalscorer the club needed, with his best Premier League season yielding 11 goals in 2023/24.
He managed just five league goals last season before being sold, as the newly crowned champions reinvested in forwards Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Currently, Al Hilal sit third in the Saudi Pro League table with 17 points from seven matches, four points behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
