Darwin Núñez waiting on Liverpool and Barcelona as summer exit gathers pace

Darwin Núñez is reportedly keeping a close eye on developments at both Liverpool and Barcelona as he searches for a route out of Al-Hilal this summer.

The Uruguay international's future has become increasingly uncertain after a difficult season in Saudi Arabia, and reports from Spain suggest the striker would welcome the opportunity to return to one of European football's biggest stages.

Liverpool and Barcelona have now emerged as two clubs being linked with the former Reds forward.

Núñez's move to Saudi Arabia has not developed as planned.

The striker left Liverpool in August 2025 in a deal worth around €53 million, arriving with expectations of becoming a leading figure in Al-Hilal's attack.

Initially, there were positive signs.

He registered nine goals and five assists across 24 appearances before gradually slipping down the pecking order.

The situation worsened significantly after Karim Benzema arrived in January.

Al-Hilal subsequently left Núñez out of their league squad, and he has not featured competitively since February.

That lack of football has naturally intensified speculation regarding his future.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are aware of Núñez's circumstances and could view him as a potential alternative should other striker targets prove unattainable.

The Catalan club are searching for a long-term solution following Robert Lewandowski's departure and continue to assess several options.

Núñez is reportedly considered a possible Plan B.

An important figure in the story is agent Jorge Mendes.

The super-agent represents both Núñez and João Cancelo, and reports claim the striker's name was discussed during meetings involving Barcelona and Cancelo's future.

Sources close to those conversations suggest Núñez is aware his situation has been raised with the Spanish champions.

That has encouraged hopes that an opportunity could emerge.

Perhaps the most surprising element of the latest reports is Liverpool's continued presence in the conversation.

The striker remains a popular figure among supporters and former teammates despite his departure less than a year ago.

Reports indicate Núñez is also awaiting news from Anfield, suggesting he would be open to a return if circumstances allowed.

A reunion would certainly be unexpected, but there are factors that make it an interesting possibility.

Liverpool's attacking plans have been affected by Hugo Ekitike's serious injury, which is expected to keep the forward sidelined for an extended period.

That setback could force the club into the transfer market.

Having already adapted to life at Liverpool and the demands of the Premier League, Núñez would not require the same adjustment period as an entirely new signing.

The next stage depends largely on developments involving Barcelona's primary striker targets and Liverpool's plans following Ekitike's injury setback.

If Núñez becomes available without a transfer fee, interest could increase rapidly across Europe. Until then, the striker appears content to wait and assess which opportunities genuinely materialise.

For now, Liverpool and Barcelona remain two destinations capable of tempting him away from Saudi Arabia and back into elite European football.

Would a return to Liverpool make sense for Darwin Núñez, or should the Reds pursue a completely different striker profile this summer?