Liverpool are reportedly reluctant to sell Darwin Nunez to AC Milan during the January transfer window unless they secure a suitable replacement.
The 25-year-old has endured another difficult season with the Reds, scoring just four goals in all competitions.
Signed from Benfica in 2022 for an initial £64million fee, potentially rising to a club-record £85million, Nunez has struggled to live up to expectations.
His inconsistent performances under Jurgen Klopp were well-documented, and the arrival of Arne Slot as manager has yet to reinvigorate his Anfield career.
Amid his struggles, speculation about Nunez’s future has intensified, with AC Milan emerging as a potential destination.
Reports from Italy suggest that the Rossoneri were preparing a bid to acquire Nunez on an initial six-month loan, with a £41.5 million obligation to buy in the summer.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Liverpool have yet to receive any formal approach from Milan.
Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, are undergoing significant changes after sacking manager Paulo Fonseca following a four-game winless streak.
The club has since appointed former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao, which could influence their transfer strategy.
If Milan were to proceed with a move for Darwin Nunez, he would join a forward line that already includes Alvaro Morata, Tammy Abraham (on loan from Roma), and Luka Jovic – three strikers aiming to rediscover their best form.
Injuries to key players, including star forward Rafael Leao and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, have added to Milan’s woes this season.
However, even if the Italian giants were to submit a substantial offer for Nunez, Liverpool are expected to demand a replacement before agreeing to any deal.
Earlier this month, Arne Slot publicly backed Nunez, emphasising his belief in the striker’s potential despite his struggles in front of goal.
“For me, he has impact,” Slot declared.
“If you only look at goals, he hasn’t scored the amount of goals that he wants to score, or we want a number nine to score, but he does have impact in his work-rate.
“He’s part of a team that scores a lot of goals and is winning a lot.
“Of course, as a number nine you want to score more goals and that’s definitely what he wants as well.
“But I’m not only judging Mohamed Salah on his goals and Darwin on his goals – I also judge them on their work-rate and what they bring to the team. The fans support him so much that maybe he wants it too much.”
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