Darwin Nunez transfer truth after 'contract clause' given as reason for Liverpool absence

Darwin Nunez's future at Liverpool continues to be a topic of speculation, with reports suggesting that his former club Benfica could miss out on a significant financial boost if the striker doesn't secure more action. Nunez, who joined the Reds from Benfica in the summer of 2023 for a club-record fee, has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.

The Uruguayan international's transfer cost Liverpool an initial $85 million (£64 million), with an additional $29 million (£21 million) in potential add-ons included in the deal.

While the exact details of these add-ons have not been officially confirmed by either Liverpool or Benfica, various reports have emerged since the transfer outlining the agreed terms.

According to Portuguese publication A Bola, Benfica stands to lose out on $5.7 million if Nunez fails to make another start for Liverpool. The report suggests that the Portuguese side received $5.7 million when Nunez made 10 starts in the Premier League and Champions League combined, another $5.7 million upon reaching 35 starts, and a further $5.7 million once he hit 60 starts.

Currently, Nunez has made 59 starts across both competitions but has only been named in the starting XI once since early February, during a Premier League victory over Southampton.

The Liverpool ECHO reports that there is no indication that the player is being left out due to financial reasons. Liverpool had previously turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia for Nunez in January, choosing instead to include him in its plans for the second half of the season as it was still competing on four fronts.

Nunez is on the verge of earning a Premier League winners' medal, with Liverpool just three points away from clinching the title with five games remaining. However, with Liverpool likely to be in the market for a new striker this summer, Nunez's future remains uncertain. The Saudi Pro League is expected to make another bid for the player in the upcoming transfer window.

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Liverpool has been linked with potential replacements, including Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. However any deal is likely to be costly and Jamie Carragher believes Hugo Ekitike would be a perfect alternative.

‘I think a center-forward is a must [this summer] because I imagine the front part of the team is the area that really needs a bit more surgery than others because of the age profile of certain players there and the contract situations,” Carragher said on the latest episode of the 'It’s Called Soccer!' podcast.

“The one that every club would love is Isak, isn’t it? I don’t think we’re in a position where there are absolutely great center-forwards all around Europe. Do I think Liverpool could go and buy Isak? I don’t know.

“There’s the lad at Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike. That smacks to me the kind of player that Liverpool would sign. He’s 22, he’s at a club where you think they could be a selling club. He’s done really well there."