Darwin Nunez Makes Liverpool Exit Vow to Ex-Uruguay Team-Mate

Reds Prepare to Take a Major Loss as Striker Eyes Napoli Move

It’s not the end anyone imagined—but it may just be the beginning of something new. Darwin Nunez, Liverpool’s fiery and unpredictable forward, looks to have made up his mind. After a turbulent season under new boss Arne Slot, the Uruguayan striker has reportedly told a former international team-mate he’s ready to pack his bags and head for a fresh start. The destination? Naples.

Walter Gargano, a veteran of Uruguayan football and once a key figure for Napoli himself, has come forward with what could be a major revelation. Speaking to radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli, Gargano suggested that Nunez has already given his verbal commitment to join the reigning Serie A champions.

“The warmth of the Neapolitans would do him a lot of good,” Gargano said. “I spoke to him about a week ago and I hope he really comes to Naples. He told me: ‘Yes, I’ll come to Naples right away. I’m waiting to close with Naples.’”

From Anfield Adoration to Anfield Anonymity

Nunez’s Liverpool story has always been a bit of a rollercoaster. Signed from Benfica in 2022 for a fee rising to £85 million, expectations were sky-high. In flashes, he showed why. Explosive pace, a nose for goal, and that touch of South American chaos that fans either love or loathe—he had all of it. But consistency proved elusive.

Under Jurgen Klopp, Nunez was both thrilling and frustrating. Under Arne Slot, it seems, he became expendable. The 2024-25 campaign, which saw Liverpool lift their second Premier League title, was not kind to him. With the Dutchman looking to implement a more structured and possession-heavy style of play, Nunez found himself more often on the bench than on the scoresheet.

Sources close to the club suggest that while Nunez remained professional, his confidence took a hit. And now, with Napoli sniffing around and willing to offer both a prominent role and the allure of Champions League football in a sun-drenched, football-mad city, the 25-year-old looks ready to cut ties.

Napoli: A City, A Club, A Rebirth?

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Napoli have been busy—very busy. Having clinched the 2024-25 Serie A title under Antonio Conte, they’re wasting no time reinforcing their squad for next season. With Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne already unveiled as a marquee signing, the club is clearly aiming to make a statement in Europe.

Nunez fits that narrative. For all his inconsistencies, he remains one of the most physically gifted forwards in Europe. Conte is known to admire strikers who work relentlessly, stretch defences, and don’t shy away from physical battles—traits Nunez has in abundance. A front line featuring Nunez, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Victor Osimhen (if he stays) could cause havoc in any competition.

Naples is also culturally more aligned with Nunez’s personality. It’s a passionate, emotional football city—not unlike Montevideo. It’s a place where players are embraced as family, and where performances are remembered long after contracts expire. For a player like Darwin, it could be the perfect storm—in a good way.

Liverpool Ready to Take the Hit

On Merseyside, there’s a growing acceptance that Nunez’s chapter might be coming to a close. While the club won’t let him leave on the cheap, it’s unlikely they’ll recoup the full £85 million they paid Benfica. Early reports suggest Napoli are preparing an offer in the region of £50-55 million, with potential add-ons included.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have already begun preparing for life post-Nunez. The name that keeps popping up is Viktor Gyokeres, the powerful Swedish striker who tore up the Portuguese league with Sporting CP. With strong link-up play, a lethal left foot, and a knack for scoring in big games, Gyokeres is seen as a more system-compatible option for Slot’s plans.

And that’s not all. Liverpool made headlines earlier this month by signing German wonderkid Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, breaking the British transfer record in the process. Wirtz brings vision, flair, and end-product—precisely the kind of attacking midfielder who could unlock even the tightest of defences.

A Tale of What Might Have Been

Viktor Gyokeres

Looking back, Nunez’s Liverpool stint will likely be remembered as a case of “what could’ve been.” The talent was never in question. He had moments—brilliant moments, like the brace against Newcastle or the winner at the Emirates—that showed he could thrive in England. But injuries, tactical misfits, and confidence dips seemed to always arrive at the worst possible times.

Still, there’s no bitterness. Liverpool fans, by and large, have maintained their affection for Nunez. His effort was never in doubt. He chased every ball like it was the last of his career. He celebrated goals like a kid in the park. If anything, his story at Liverpool is a reminder that talent needs the right environment to truly flourish.

And maybe, just maybe, Naples is that place for him.

What Comes Next?

As of now, neither Liverpool nor Napoli have issued any official statements. But behind the scenes, negotiations are believed to be progressing. With the transfer window now fully open and clubs looking to finalise squads before pre-season, a deal could be completed in the coming weeks.

For Liverpool, the focus will shift to securing a replacement and ensuring that Slot’s first full season in charge is built on the same foundations of energy, unity, and ruthless efficiency that brought them domestic glory.

For Darwin Nunez, the focus will be on rediscovery—of his form, his confidence, and his joy. And if Naples truly is his next stop, football fans everywhere should be watching closely.

Because Darwin Nunez, on his day, is electric. And in the chaos and colour of Serie A, he might just find the spark he’s been missing.