The transfer market is starting to heat up with a story that few would have predicted just a year ago. According to the well-known transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Darwin Nunez could be on the verge of a sensational return to European football, and Tottenham Hotspur have already begun the groundwork to make it happen.
The Uruguayan striker, who made a high-profile move from Liverpool to the Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal last summer, finds himself in a bizarre and frustrating situation that has opened the door for a Premier League comeback.
On the surface, Nunez’s time in the Middle East has been productive. He has managed to find the back of the net nine times and register five assists in just twenty-four appearances. However, the arrival of Karim Benzema in January threw a massive wrench into Nunez’s season.
Due to strict regulations in the Saudi Pro League regarding the number of foreign players a club can register, Al-Hilal made the shocking technical decision to leave Nunez out of their domestic squad.
This means the 26-year-old is now restricted to playing only in the Asian Champions League, a situation that Romano describes as completely unacceptable for a player of his caliber and character.
Romano shared these insights on his YouTube channel, explaining that Nunez is far from happy. “He only joined a few months ago and is already out of the league squad. You can imagine a big personality like Nunez can’t be happy,” Romano noted.
The journalist confirmed that a return to Europe this summer is a very real possibility, and several clubs are already circling. While Nunez enjoys a massive salary in Saudi Arabia, he faces a difficult choice: stay for the financial rewards or take a significant pay cut to prove himself once again on the biggest stages in Europe.
For Tottenham, the timing of this news couldn’t be more interesting. The club is currently navigating a period of significant change under Igor Tudor, and the striking department is at the top of the priority list for the summer window.
While Randal Kolo Muani finally broke his Premier League duck during the recent North London derby, his future in London remains uncertain. Kolo Muani is currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and early indications suggest that Spurs are not planning to make that move permanent.
With additional reports suggesting that Richarlison and the club have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the season, a massive vacancy is opening up at the number nine position.
Dominic Solanke currently leads the line, but the hierarchy at Tottenham recognizes that they need more elite competition and variety in their attacking options if they are to climb back up the table. Nunez, despite his polarizing reputation for inconsistency at times, offers a physical profile and a level of chaos that can dismantle even the most organized defenses.
His previous experience in the Premier League with Liverpool means he wouldn’t require the typical “adjustment period” that often hampers foreign imports. He understands the pace, the physicality, and the pressure of the English game.
Igor Tudor’s tactical system relies heavily on strikers who can work the channels and put immense pressure on opposing center-backs. Nunez’s tireless work rate and explosive speed would, on paper, fit the Croatian manager’s demands perfectly.
The main hurdle, of course, will be the financial package. Tottenham has traditionally been cautious with their wage structure, and Nunez would need to prioritize his sporting ambitions over the lucrative contract he currently holds at Al-Hilal.
As the summer window approaches, the “Nunez situation” is expected to become one of the most talked-about sagas in football. Tottenham’s decision to hold early talks with intermediaries shows a clear intent to be at the front of the queue.
Whether Nunez is willing to lead the line in North London remains to be seen, but the prospect of seeing the “Uruguayan firecracker” back in the Premier League is a narrative that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
For Spurs, landing a player of his profile would be a massive statement of intent as they look to leave the struggles of the current season behind and rebuild for a brighter future.
