Darwin Nunez ready to take pay cut in push to leave Al Hilal for Barcelona

Darwin Nunez is prepared to sacrifice a significant portion of his salary at Al Hilal in an effort to secure a move to Barcelona in the current summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

The Uruguay striker, who joined the Saudi Pro League side from Liverpool last summer in a €55m deal, has struggled to establish himself as a guaranteed starter and is now increasingly likely to leave after just one season in Riyadh.

Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Nunez is “ready to make a big financial sacrifice” to fulfil what is described as his dream of playing for Barcelona. He is said to be willing to give up part of his substantial Al Hilal wages if it helps facilitate a move to the Camp Nou.

Al Hilal stance and possible loan exit
While Nunez is understood to be pushing for an agreement that would allow him to depart, Al Hilal are in no rush to simply terminate his contract. The Saudi club are keen to recoup a portion of the €55m they invested to sign him from Liverpool following his mixed spell in the Premier League.

According to the same report, Al Hilal are currently reluctant to agree a straightforward contract termination and would instead favour a deal that brings in a transfer fee. However, the club are open to the possibility of a loan move, provided Barcelona, Al Hilal and the player can reach a formula that satisfies all parties.

Nunez is said to be closely monitoring the transfer market as he and his representatives explore ways to unlock a move, against the backdrop of Barcelona’s limited financial flexibility and the Saudi club’s desire to protect their outlay.

A move that nearly happened in 2020
Sport also highlights that Nunez’s potential switch to Barcelona has been on the cards before. In 2020, when he was playing for Almeria, Barcelona came close to signing him and tabled an offer to acquire 50% of his rights.

However, that operation ultimately collapsed and Benfica stepped in, signing the forward for €33m. It was in Lisbon that Nunez’s reputation grew rapidly, leading to a high-profile transfer to Liverpool and establishing him as one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe.

Barcelona priorities up front
Despite Nunez’s clear desire to join the Catalan club, Barcelona’s hierarchy are currently focused on a different target to strengthen their centre-forward position.

The report states that Argentina international Julian Alvarez remains Barcelona’s preferred option to bolster their attack this summer. Club decision-makers are prioritising an attempt to prise Alvarez away from his current employers before turning fully to other alternatives.

Even so, Barcelona are aware that their primary target may prove difficult to land in the coming days. Should their pursuit of Alvarez stall or collapse, Nunez is viewed within the club as a realistic alternative, particularly in light of his willingness to adjust his wage demands and his long-standing interest in a move to the Camp Nou.

For now, Nunez’s future rests on whether Al Hilal will accept a structure – likely involving a loan or a reduced fee – that satisfies their financial expectations, and whether Barcelona can navigate their own constraints to finally secure a player they once came close to signing.