Darwin Nunez willing to take pay cut to seal Barcelona move from Al Hilal

Darwin Nunez is prepared to accept a significant reduction in salary in an attempt to leave Al Hilal and finally secure a move to Barcelona this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The Uruguay striker, who joined the Saudi Pro League club from Liverpool last year in a €55m deal, has struggled to establish himself as a guaranteed starter and is now pushing for an exit in the current transfer window.

Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Nunez has made playing for Barcelona his priority and is ready to sacrifice part of the lucrative wages he earns in Riyadh if it helps facilitate a transfer to the Camp Nou.

Al Hilal, however, are said to be reluctant to simply terminate his contract and allow him to walk away for free. The Saudi club want to recover a portion of the fee they paid Liverpool and are therefore looking for a formula that would protect their investment.

Loan move on the table

According to the same report, Al Hilal are open to the idea of a loan move for Nunez, provided all parties can agree on suitable financial terms.

Nunez is monitoring developments in the European transfer market while his representatives work on a possible agreement with Al Hilal that would clear the way for a switch to La Liga.

For now, the club’s stance is that a complete contract cancellation is off the table, but a temporary deal – potentially including a loan fee or an option to buy – is viewed more favourably if it gives them a chance to recoup some of their outlay.

Barcelona’s attacking priorities

Despite Nunez’s eagerness, Barcelona’s hierarchy are currently focused on another target for the centre-forward position.

The Catalan club are reported to have placed Argentina international Julian Alvarez at the top of their shortlist as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the new season.

However, there is an acceptance within Barcelona that a move for Alvarez may prove complicated in the coming days. Should that pursuit stall, Nunez is seen as a more realistic alternative, particularly given his willingness to adjust his salary demands.

Near miss in 2020

Nunez’s links with Barcelona go back several years. Sport notes that the former Almeria forward came close to joining the Spanish giants in 2020.

At that time, while he was impressing in Spain’s second tier with Almeria, Barcelona made an offer to acquire 50% of his rights. The deal did not materialise, and Benfica stepped in to sign him instead in a €33m transfer.

That move to Portugal proved to be the launchpad for his rise in European football, ultimately earning him a big-money switch to Liverpool and then to Al Hilal.

Now, with his time in Saudi Arabia yet to deliver the stability he hoped for, Nunez is again looking towards Barcelona – and is ready to take a financial hit – in an effort to revive a move that slipped away four years ago.