Man Utd sent Nunez transfer demand as Liverpool star 'says yes' to move

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez appears destined for a summer transfer away from Anfield and Manchester United have been given a verdict on the Uruguay international

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has urged the club to make a surprise move for Liverpool's Darwin Nunez. The Uruguay international looks poised to leave Anfield this summer, but his next destination has yet to be confirmed.

Atletico Madrid are among the clubs believed to be in the mix for Nunez. They may well have the upper hand, too, with the former Benfica star reportedly in favour of a move to the Spanish capital.

There have also been reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, though a European stay appears to be the player's preference. United haven't been linked themselves, but are expected to strengthen in attack after a tough season in front of goal for leading man Rasmus Hojlund.

"He’s not quite lived up to expectations and sometimes a new start might be a good thing for a player, rather than being there and just being another number and getting game time occasionally," Yorke told gamblingindustrynews.com. "What I see is an individual wanting a platform to become the top man at the football club. He’s not going to get that with Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk and the other players who they have there.

"I think for me personally if I was United, I know the Liverpool and the Man United thing is a bit of a rift there, but I look beyond that. I look at the young man who has a good presence, who has a little bit of zest in him, who’s got all ingredients to be even better than what he’s actually producing at the minute."

Nunez joined Liverpool in the summer of 2022 for an initial £64million plus up to £21m in add-ons. However, he looks poised to leave Anfield with three years of his deal remaining.

He scored 48 goals in all competitions in his final Benfica season, but has yet to reach that tally in three seasons as a Liverpool player. Just seven of his 40 Reds goals have arrived this season, with manager Arne Slot tending to use him as a substitute.

Liverpool boss Slot has pointed to the need for added weapons after his rotation failed to pay off in some high-profile defeats. The comments come after the Dutchman criticised Nunez for his approach during a draw with Aston Villa back in February in which he missed a golden chance.

"I would prefer him to score but the word 'chance' says it all," Slot said at the time. "It's a chance so it's not 100 per cent sure that the ball goes in, and players miss chances,"

"What was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance. I think it got too much in his head, where he wasn't the usual Darwin that works his a** off and makes sure he helps the team."