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Liverpool have rejected Napoli’s opening bid for Darwin Nunez, but talks are continuing, Rousing The Kop understands.

Darwin Nunez is set to leave Liverpool this summer, and Napoli have been keen on the Uruguayan for quite some time.

Antonio Conte is building up a strong foundation of former Premier League players over in Naples including Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Romelu Lukaku, and now, he’s looking to add Darwin Nunez to the mix.

Nunez has been heavily criticised since his move to Liverpool, and now, the Reds could be set to sell the striker and have set an asking price.

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Rousing The Kop understands, via information gathered by Graeme Bailey, Napoli have made Darwin Nunez their top striker priority, ahead of Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, and have already agreed terms with the player and his camp.

We can now confirm that Napoli have offered €50m (£43m) as an opening offer, but that has not been accepted.

Sources believe that Liverpool want €75m (£65m) for the 26-year-old who arrived in a club record £85m deal from Benfica in 2022.

Whilst the opening offer has been rejected, talks are continuing and despite the gap in values, we are informed there is confidence from both sides that they can strike a deal.

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Napoli are pushing ahead with their move for Nunez as they are set to finalise the sale of Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray – who are ready to pay close to his €75m release clause.

“Sources from both clubs confirm that a deal is not close, but they are not negative about the talks they are progressing,” Bailey said.

“Yes the opening offer is wide of the mark, but from Napoli’s point of view it highlights how serious they are about Nunez.

They want him and the player wants them.

“Liverpool are ready to move on from Nunez, but they want to recoup what they see as his value.”

£65m isn’t a bad fee to recoup for a player like Nunez, but it would still represent one of the Reds’ biggest ever financial losses on a transfer.

Indeed, while Liverpool are usually exceptional at selling players, they would be taking a £20m hit on Nunez if he was allowed to go for £65m.

This would be one of the Reds’ biggest transfer hits.

Liverpool’s biggest transfer lossesFee paidFee sold forLossAndy Carroll£35m£15m£20mMario Balotelli£16m£0£16mAlberto Aquilani£20m£13m£7mChristian Benteke£33m£27m£6m

Excluding players who left on free transfers upon their contracts expiring, such as Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum, selling Nunez for a £20m loss would be the joint-biggest loss the Reds have ever made on a transfer.

The fact that Liverpool don’t have a long list of players sold for huge losses is impressive, but this £20m hit will sting if Liverpool do indeed agree such a deal for Nunez.


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