Darwin Nunez talks delayed as Trabzonspor and Al-Hilal negotiate key transfer terms

Turkish club Trabzonspor remain in talks to sign Darwin Nunez from Al-Hilal, with an obligatory purchase clause and outstanding payments complicating an agreement that had appeared close to completion.

According to Turkish website 61saat, the delay is not being caused by a lack of willingness from either club. Instead, negotiations have become difficult because of the financial conditions demanded by Al-Hilal, who want the loan agreement to include a mandatory option to buy.

The clause is understood to be worth between 30m and 35m euros. Al-Hilal are seeking to recover a significant part of their investment in the Uruguay international through the permanent transfer provision.

A second issue concerns 12m euros in payments owed to Nunez by Al-Hilal. The two parties are still discussing how that sum should be paid, as well as the taxes connected to it.

That unresolved matter contributed to the postponement of Nunez’s expected arrival in Turkey, which had initially been scheduled for 15 August.

Trabzonspor have shown considerable flexibility in the negotiations and have indicated that they are prepared to cover 8m euros of the striker’s salary. However, the Turkish club remain reluctant to accept the high mandatory purchase clause sought by Al-Hilal.

That disagreement is now regarded as the central obstacle preventing the deal from being completed.

Despite the continuing complications, 61saat reports, citing sources close to Trabzonspor, that both sides remain committed to reaching an agreement. The transfer is said to have entered an advanced stage, with the final discussions focused on how Nunez’s wages will be shared and on the precise terms of the purchase clause.

Trabzonspor are also hoping to register the player in time for their upcoming European fixture against Ferencvaros.

A post attributed to Fotomac said:

❝NUNEZ HAFTASI❞🔴🔵 Trabzonspor, Darwin Nunez’i persembe gunku Ferencvaros macına yetistirmeyi planlıyor.📋 Carsamba gunu guncellenecek UEFA listesine yıldız ismin eklenmesi amaclanıyor.🗞️ Fotomac

The message said Trabzonspor planned to make Nunez available for Thursday’s match against Ferencvaros and aimed to add the forward to the UEFA list when it was updated on Wednesday.

The proposed move therefore remains dependent on a final financial agreement between the two clubs. Trabzonspor’s willingness to contribute towards the player’s wages has helped keep negotiations alive, but the structure of the loan and the money owed to Nunez continue to prevent the transfer from being formally announced.