Global transfer market expert, the reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano , has settled the controversy surrounding the future of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez , a player for Al-Hilal, amid frequent reports linking his name to a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce before the closing of the winter transfer window in Turkey.
Details of the departure rumors and Romano's stance
The past few hours have seen a flurry of press reports suggesting that Núñez is close to leaving Al-Hilal, indicating advanced negotiations between the Turkish club's management and Al-Hilal officials. These speculations are primarily based on the significant changes in Al-Hilal's squad, particularly following reports of the club's signing of veteran French striker Karim Benzema, leading some to predict Núñez's departure to free up a spot in the team.
However, Fabrizio Romano, through his official account on the social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter), put an end to these speculations, categorically confirming that the deal to transfer Darwin Nunez to Fenerbahce has not been completed, and that there is no intention to conclude it during the current days, which means that the player will continue with the Saudi team at the present time.
General context and impact of the Saudi transfer market
This news comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing unprecedented activity in international transfers, with major clubs seeking to bolster their squads with the brightest stars in football. Maintaining technical stability is vital for competing for domestic and continental titles. Keeping Núñez, despite his fluctuating performances, could be seen as a strategic choice by Al-Hilal's management to preserve squad depth, especially given the long and demanding competitions the team faces.
On the other hand, Turkish club Fenerbahce is known for its intensive activity in the winter markets and its constant pursuit of big names to enhance its chances in the Turkish Super League, but this time the club’s ambitions were met with Al-Hilal’s insistence on keeping its player or the failure to reach an agreement that satisfies all parties.
Nunez's figures and market value
Looking at the player’s career with Al-Hilal, Nunez joined “Al-Zaeem” during the last summer transfer window, coming from Liverpool in a huge deal worth about 53 million euros, which greatly raised the fans’ expectations of him.
Since donning the blue jersey, the Uruguayan striker has participated in 22 matches across various official competitions. During these appearances, he managed to score seven goals and provide five assists for his teammates. In terms of market value, his worth has decreased, settling at €35 million according to the latest updates from Transfermarkt, a website specializing in football economics. This reflects the challenges the player has faced in adapting and delivering the expected performance commensurate with his purchase price.
