Darwin Núñez set for loan exit from Al Hilal
Darwin Núñez is edging towards the exit at Al Hilal, and all roads now appear to lead back to familiar territory.
The Uruguayan striker is expected to leave the Saudi club on loan, with an option to buy running until June 2027. He remains with Al Hilal at their pre-season camp in Austria, but behind the scenes he has been pushing hard for a move. That push has finally been rewarded with approval for a departure under the proposed terms.
Barcelona look, but don’t leap
His situation quickly alerted several European clubs. FC Barcelona, hunting for a lower-cost alternative to Julian Álvarez, had Núñez on their radar. His representatives even offered him to the Catalan side, and the proposal reached the desks at the club.
It went no further. Barça studied the option, but no agreement followed, and their interest never moved beyond that exploratory stage. Their priority remains Álvarez, even as the realisation grows inside the club that prising the Argentine away may prove impossible.
While Barcelona hesitated, another door opened.
Portugal calls again
According to Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah, Núñez is now close to a return to the Portuguese league, with Porto and Benfica emerging as the leading candidates for his signature.
Initially, the striker tried to rip up his contract altogether. That idea has been shelved. All sides have instead converged on a loan deal as the most workable solution.
To make it happen, Núñez is ready to sacrifice part of his salary. Al Hilal will continue to cover a portion of his wages for one season, a compromise that keeps the numbers manageable for interested clubs. Negotiations are ongoing, with a clear deadline: everyone involved wants the transfer wrapped up before Al Hilal fly back to Saudi Arabia on 3 August.
Benfica, the benchmark
For Núñez, Portugal is not just another destination. It is where his career caught fire.
Benfica signed him from Almería for €25 million, beating Barcelona to his signature at the time. That fee, a significant outlay for the Portuguese side, turned into one of their most successful bets of recent years. In Lisbon, Núñez exploded, his performances convincing Liverpool to pay more than €75 million to take him to the Premier League.
The move to England never fully clicked. Núñez struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter and a reliable finisher at Anfield. His next step, a switch to Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, has also failed to bring stability or comfort.
That is why Portugal appeals. It is a league he knows, a rhythm he understands, and a stage where he has already proved he can dominate.
Other suitors left behind
Interest has not been limited to Iberia. Atlanta United from MLS and Turkish side Beşiktaş both made approaches, testing the waters for a possible deal. Neither effort reached an agreement.
Barcelona, too, were offered Núñez on loan, a potentially opportunistic move at a time when their finances remain tight. They have chosen not to advance, holding firm to their pursuit of Julian Álvarez despite the growing doubts over that operation.
So Núñez waits in Austria, training with Al Hilal, his future being thrashed out in meeting rooms thousands of kilometres away. Porto and Benfica are now in the driving seat.
The only question left is which shade of blue or red will frame the next chapter of his career in Portugal.
