Barcelona line up Nunez transfer with questions over Liverpool star's future

Barcelona are ready to pounce in a potential summer of upheaval for Liverpool by moving for Darwin Nunez, it has been claimed.

Liverpool are set for some big changes behind the scenes over the coming months, with Richard Hughes on his way as sporting director and transfer guru Michael Edwards returning to Anfield. There will be a big change in the dugout, too, with Arne Slot poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds will have some big decisions to make over a number of stars. Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will all be entering the final year of their deals, with questions over whether to cash in or attempt to agree extensions.

Nunez, who joined from Benfica in 2022, hasn't been on as many people's lips as a potential summer departure. However, Barcelona could capitalise on uncertainty on Merseyside - especially if they offload top scorer Robert Lewandowski in the coming months.

According to The Sun, Nunez has been lined up as Barcelona look to offload high earners and rebuild their squad. One of those who could be sacrificed is Lewandowski, despite the former Bayern Munich striker indicating he doesn't feel ready to stop playing at the highest level.

"Saying goodbye [to Barcelona ] is definitely out of the question for me [this summer]," Lewandowski told SportBILD (via Goal ) in April. "I feel physically good again now. I had physical problems in the first half of the season. Things got better in 2024.

"As long as I continue to feel as good as I do now and notice in training that no one is outrunning me, I want to keep playing," he added. "As of today, I say: This will continue for at least two more years. Only when I notice that I am no longer physically at top level and am in pain would I start to think. That's not the case."

Barcelona aren't expected to make a decision on Lewandowski until the end of the season. He scored from the penalty spot in Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Girona, taking his tally for the season up to 17 in the league - the same number as Liverpool top scorer Mohamed Salah.

Salah, like Nunez, could end up being offloaded to give incoming boss Slot money to spend in his first transfer window. Liverpool are likely to go into that window off the back of a third-place finish, with Manchester City and Arsenal tightening their hold on the top two spots, and former Reds star Jamie Carragher opened up on the future of both frontmen after the recent draw with West Ham.

"There is a real discussion for the new manager about what the future holds for Mo Salah - it's the first time we've asked that question," Carragher told Sky Sports. "He only has a year to go on his contract.

"He's looked a shadow of himself for a lot of this season but especially since he's come back from injury. He is Liverpool's legend, superstar, one of the all-time greats. But he's been so far off it."

Carragher also accused Nunez of having "ground to a halt". The 24-year-old has 11 goals and eight assists in the league this term, but has gone a month without scoring in any competition as Liverpool's season has unravelled.

"After two years there's going to be no improvement in him. This is what he is," Carragher said. "He can cause trouble but he's erratic with his finishing - it's not enough to win you trophies so there's a big decision to be made on him."