Darwin Núñez is looking to depart Al-Hilal, and a surprising club has emerged with a major transfer offer.
Former Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez is said to be seeking an escape route from Al-Hilal, despite joining the Saudi Pro League side only four months ago.
In a surprising twist, Argentine giants River Plate have emerged as unexpected candidates to land the Uruguayan striker.
River Plate considering bold move for Núñez
As reported by Olé, River Plate plan to make major squad changes ahead of the 2026 season. Their budget includes around $20 million (£15m) earmarked for new signings as the club looks to rebuild.
River are currently enduring a sporting crisis after crashing out of the Argentine Championship. Their only route into the Libertadores now depends on Boca Juniors winning the Clausura. The pressure of poor results has pushed the board into pursuing significant squad changes — and Núñez is one of the names on their radar.
According to the same report, Núñez was offered to River as he looks to quit Al-Hilal. However, talks have yet to progress.
If he were to leave in January, it would go down as one of the briefest — and costliest — stints in recent transfer history.
Núñez’s Al-Hilal spell so far
His switch to Riyadh last August was seen as a major coup for the Saudi league, with Al-Hilal paying Liverpool £46.3m after the striker slipped down the pecking order under Arne Slot.
On the field, Núñez has produced steady but unspectacular numbers: 5 goals and 2 assists in 11 games across all competitions. Minor knee issues and difficulties adapting to life in Saudi Arabia have also held him back.
His Liverpool departure was emotional — leaving with a Premier League winner’s medal but a feeling of unfinished business after scoring 40 goals in 143 appearances.
What’s next?
Barely months after leaving Europe, Núñez could already be lining up another major move. Whether he returns to European football or heads to Buenos Aires to play under the Monumental’s intense lights, one thing is clear: the Darwin Núñez saga is far from over — and the next chapter could be just around the corner.
