Darwin Nunez is back with Al-Hilal for pre-season camp in Austria, but don’t let that fool you: the Uruguayan striker is still glued to FC Barcelona’s transfer market moves, and his future in Saudi Arabia is anything but settled. This isn’t just about training; it’s about a 26-year-old’s career hitting a major crossroads, and the signs are pointing away from Al-Hilal.
Back in Saudi Arabia, But Not Playing
Nunez rejoined Al-Hilal last Friday, returning after the World Cup and a short holiday. This happened despite earlier reports suggesting his contract could be terminated by mutual agreement, a deal that clearly never materialized. So, he’s back, but the situation is far from ideal. Here’s the kicker: since January, Nunez has been completely sidelined from the Saudi Pro League because of the league’s foreign-player registration limits. Think about that for a second: a 26-year-old elite striker, unable to feature in his team’s domestic league!
He hasn’t played an official match for Al-Hilal since February 16. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any professional, especially one with his talent and drive. His appearances have been restricted solely to the AFC Champions League, severely limiting his playing time. His prospects at the Saudi club haven’t improved either, especially after Al-Hilal decided to retain Simone Inzaghi as head coach. It was Inzaghi who made the call to remove Nunez from the league’s registered foreign-player list to make room for Karim Benzema, effectively ending Nunez’s domestic season before it really got going. Brutal.
Barcelona Still A Dream Option?
Amidst all this uncertainty, FC Barcelona remains a significant possible destination for Nunez. While the Catalans’ priority target is Julian Alvarez, they are actively evaluating alternative options should a deal with Atletico Madrid prove impossible. Nunez definitely believes he could become one of those alternatives, particularly if Barcelona fails to sign their primary target. His representatives are also keeping a close eye on developments surrounding Ferran Torres, whose future remains uncertain amid continued interest from PSG.
The word on the street is that Nunez could be viewed as a potentially affordable option for Barcelona. Given his current predicament, where he’s practically benched despite being on the roster, it’s expected he could be available for a relatively modest transfer fee compared to other elite strikers on the market. It makes total sense that Barcelona would look at a player of his caliber at a potentially lower price point, especially with his proven talent.
So, what now? Nunez is stuck in this weird limbo, training with Al-Hilal, but his heart’s clearly elsewhere. He’s waiting to see if Barcelona’s pursuit of a new striker eventually creates an opening for him before the summer window slams shut. The man hasn’t played an official match since February 16, and you know he’s itching to get back on the field. The suspense is real!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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