Darwin Núñez has completed his departure from Liverpool after his switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal was confirmed. The 26-year-old Uruguay striker has finalised the move for a fee understood to be an initial €53m (£46m).
Liverpool said the deal was complete, subject to international clearance, and added: “Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Núñez moved to Anfield in June 2022 from Benfica for an initial fee of £64m. He scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds, but started just eight Premier League matches during their title-winning season last term.
Núñez was a target for another Saudi club, Al-Nassr, in January, but a £60m bid was rejected as Liverpool did not want to sell during the season. However, his departure looked inevitable after a string of unconvincing displays, and takes Liverpool’s income from sales this summer to almost £200m, with more likely to follow as the £40m-plus-rated midfielder Harvey Elliott possibly next to move on.
It also opens up a space in their forward line, which has already been strengthened with the arrival of Hugo Ekitiké as part of a near-£300m spend, and the No 9 shirt. Liverpool retain an interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak after having a £110m bid rejected last week.
West Ham have completed the £18m signing of the Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. The 25-year-old Denmark international has agreed personal terms and the Premier League club confirmed the deal shortly before their pre-season friendly against Lille on Saturday.
Hermansen will be reunited with the goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren, who worked with him at Brøndby. The Hammers let Lukasz Fabianski leave at the end of last season and have been eager to sign the player who made 72 appearances for Leicester.
Elsewhere, Sunderland are poised to acquire the Getafe defender Omar Alderete in a deal reported to be worth €12m (£10.4m).
