Chelsea are reportedly considering a move for Darwin Nunez, joining Newcastle United in the race to sign the Uruguayan forward from Al-Hilal. Football Insider claim the London club are ‘plotting’ a move for Nunez, potentially sparking a competitive transfer battle.
Nunez has been assessing his options after being dropped from Al-Hilal’s squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema, according to TEAMtalk, who first reported on Newcastle’s interest back in February. The 26-year-old is seeking a return to European football despite only joining the Saudi Pro League side last August.
Newcastle have previously held talks with Nunez’s representatives, seeking to strengthen their attacking options after Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have not adequately filled the void left by Alexander Isak. Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking for a new striker to compete with Joao Pedro.
While Nunez currently earns a reported £400,000 per week, TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey suggests the player would be willing to accept a significant wage reduction to return to Europe. This potential flexibility could boost the chances of both Newcastle and Chelsea securing his signature.
Former Chelsea player Marcel Desailly believes Nunez would be a valuable addition to the Blues, stating that a club like Chelsea, or Manchester United, would provide the established environment he needs to thrive. He emphasized the importance of being surrounded by confident players who will readily supply him with the ball.
Nunez’s focus is currently on the upcoming World Cup finals, where a strong performance could further increase interest in his services. The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his next destination.
