Darwin Nunez at centre of two-club transfer battle as European giants eye Liverpool star

Darwin Nunez is being targeted by a number of European teams this summer after falling down the pecking order at Liverpool under Arne Slot and reports claim that Napoli and Atletico Madrid are keeping tabs on him

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez is reportedly being chased by European giants Napoli and Atletico Madrid this summer amid increasing speculation the Uruguayan will leave Anfield. Nunez has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Arne Slot's team despite playing his part in their Premier League title-winning season.

The 25-year-old joined the Reds from Benfica for around £85million in 2022 - a club-record deal. While he has chipped in with 40 goals in 140 appearances so far, he has largely failed to repay his huge price tag.

Nunez has only earned eight starting spots in the league under Slot after falling down the pecking order and finding himself as a back-up option to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

There are now huge doubts around his future amid links to an exit and Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport has reported that Napoli are weighing up a move for the target man.

It states chief Aurelien De Laurentiis is looking to bring a new attacker to the club this summer for manager Antonio Conte, who hopes to win the Serie A title this season.

Nunez is top of the list despite Conte already boasting options like Romelu Lukaku - but he could do with more options to ensure Napoli build on their positive season.

Napoli are also looking at Lille strike Jonathan David, as well as FC Porto's Samuel Omorodion and PSG's Lee Kang-In.

But the Naples side are not the only team keeping tabs on Nunez this summer. Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid are also understood to be keen on a move as they bid to add to their existing options of Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth.

Meanwhile, Goal reports that Argentinian outfit River Plate are a potential destination for Nunez, as well as a club in the Saudi Pro League.

If Nunez did sign for Napoli, there is a chance he could link up with Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne - who has been targeted by the Italian outfit.

The 33-year-old Belgian's contract expires at the end of the season after City decided not to offer him a new deal and he is expected to be inundated with offers from top clubs.

Reports from Sky Sports have claimed that Napoli's sporting director Giovanni Manna has been in Manchester in recent walks to conduct talks with De Bruyne and to present the club's project, with the player himself open to the idea of joining them.

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