Serie A giants Napoli have reportedly ended their pursuit of Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, stalling the pursuit of Alexander Isak.Β
Liverpool are eyeing a summer rebuild, and signing a prolific striker is at the top of their wishlist.
Newcastle United ace Isak is reportedly their first choice, but they cannot pull the move off without selling out-of-favour Nunez.
Napoli Drop Out of Race for Liverpool Star Darwin Nunez
Napoli were all set to offer Liverpool a get-out-of-jail card. However, according to Sky Italia, they had a change of heart in the 11th hour. T
he Partenopei have now set their sights on Udinese to sign Lorenzo Lucca. They want to sign the towering forward on loan with an obligation to buy next summer. They believe Lucca will be the perfect man to partner Romelu Lukaku up top.
π¨ ππππππππ: Napoli have informed Liverpool that a deal for Darwin NΓΊΓ±ez is off, according to @FabrizioRomano ποΈ
No new Uruguayan striker in Naples ππΊπΎ pic.twitter.com/MVKiM11E0h
— 433 (@433) July 15, 2025
On X (formerly Twitter), renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano informed that the Serie A side had informed Liverpool. They backed out of the deal as the fee was too high.
“Napoli have informed Liverpool tonight that Darwin Nunez deal can be considered off,” wrote Romano.
“Napoli will sign Lucca as new striker despite Nunez opening doors to the move, fee considered too high.”
Napoli, who reportedly had direct talks with Nunez, reportedly tabled a bid just under Β£50 million for the striker. Liverpool, however, wanted Β£65 million for the Uruguayan. Napoli were never going to pay as much for the former Benfica man.
Saudi Clubs Can Help Liverpool Sign Alexander Isak
While Napoli have dropped out of the race for Darwin Nunez, Liverpool still have a shot at signing Alexander Isak. As per Fabrizio Romano, Nunez has garnered interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
π¨π« Napoli have informed Liverpool tonight that Darwin Nunez deal can be considered off.
Napoli will sign Lucca as new striker despite Nunez opening doors to the move, fee considered too high.
π Nunez, still expected to leave #LFC this summer with Saudi clubs and more keen. pic.twitter.com/g69gxDNMKJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2025
Saudi interest in Nunez is not new. In January, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr tried to sign Nunez. Liverpool, however, turned them down, as they did not want to sell mid-season.
This time, Al Hilal have emerged as potential suitors for Nunez. New manager Simone Inzaghi has reportedly asked for the player, as his team eyes the Saudi Pro League title.
Nunez wanted to play for the Serie A holders. However, it is unclear whether he would be interested in a move to Saudi Arabia. It will not be surprising if the 26-year-old insists on continuing in Europe.
Newcastle Want Over Β£120 Million for Isak
Despite comfortably winning the Premier League title in 2024/25, Liverpool are unwilling to rest on their laurels. They have signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, agreeing to pay a British record Β£109 million fee for him. They have also signed Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, among others.
According to reports, Alexander Isak is the next name on their wishlist, with Arne Slot especially keen on signing him. But Newcastle United refuse to negotiate unless they receive a Β£120 million bid for the Swede.
Alexander Isak. πΈπͺ pic.twitter.com/XhxN6qKGm0
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 15, 2025
Having already splurged heavily on players this summer, Liverpool cannot afford to meet Newcastle’s valuation without breaching Financial Fair Play regulations. They need to sell some of their players to raise money, and Nunez is their biggest potential money maker.
In addition to Nunez, Ibrahima Konate could be on his way out of Liverpool. Real Madrid have been credited with interest, and the Reds could open the door to a sale to get closer to Isak.
