Overview
- Al‑Hilal decided in early August to pursue a loan for Darwin Núñez after failing to secure any satisfactory permanent bids for the striker.
- The club’s priority is finding a team willing to pay the bulk of Núñez’s salary so Al‑Hilal can reduce wage costs and open a roster spot for coach Simone Inzaghi.
- Reports say Al‑Hilal planned talks in Turkey and that agent Jorge Mendes offered Núñez to Barcelona, but no Turkish club has lodged a formal offer and Barça has not opened negotiations.
- Núñez is not in Inzaghi’s long‑term plans after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia; Al‑Hilal hope a return to Europe on loan will allow him to rebuild form and market value.
- If no loan materializes quickly, Al‑Hilal risk keeping a high‑earner outside the coach’s project, which could force last‑minute alternatives and affect the club’s transfer planning before the season.