Bigger blow than Nunez: Klopp trying to sign "explosive" £50m Liverpool man

Liverpool have enjoyed a terrific summer transfer window that has put them in a fantastic position to defend their Premier League title in the 2025/26 campaign.

The headline of the summer so far has, of course, been the arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a British record transfer fee of £116.5m.

Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike have also arrived as marquee additions to bolster Arne Slot’s options across the pitch ahead of next season.

However, Liverpool have also lost Luis Diaz. The Colombia international recently completed a permanent transfer to German giants Bayern Munich.

The former Porto man may not be the only high-profile exit from Anfield before the end of the window, though, as Darwin Nunez may be on his way out of the club.

Al Hilal are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign the Uruguay international, as they are in talks over personal terms with the Reds centre-forward.

Why it is the right time for Liverpool to cash in on Nunez

David Ornstein claims that the Saudi Pro League club have agreed an initial fee of £46m, with add-ons on top, with Liverpool for the striker, who has shown a willingness to accept the move.

Although it remains to be seen how much money could be recouped from the total transfer including the add-ons, it seems like the right time for the Reds to cash in on the former Benfica star.

Liverpool reportedly paid a club-record fee of £85m to sign the attacker in the summer of 2022, and it is increasingly difficult to justify it as money well spent by the club, based on his performances on the pitch.

Unfortunately, a theme throughout Nunez’s time at Anfield has been unreliable finishing. He has not made enough of the chances that the team have created for him over the last three years.

As you can see in the table above, the £85m signing has underperformed his xG in all three of his seasons with the club, missing a staggering 83 ‘big chances’ in that time.

This is why it may be the right time for Liverpool to move on from Nunez amid interest from Al Hilal, as he has not done enough to suggest that he can be a reliable option for Slot.

Euro club in talks to sign Liverpool midfielder

Meanwhile, the Reds could be dealt a bigger blow as Jurgen Klopp is looking to poach one of their players for one of his Red Bull clubs this summer.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, RB Leipzig are in talks with Liverpool over a potential deal to sign England U21 international Harvey Elliott.

The reporter states that the German side have already made contact with the Premier League champions and are now speaking to them about a move for the left-footed ace.

Ornstein adds that Leipzig are looking to bring him in as a potential replacement for Dutch star Xavi Simons, who may be off to Chelsea this summer.

The Athletic’s article reveals that Liverpool are willing to sell Elliott for £40m if a buy-back clause is included as part of the deal, or for £50m without one.

Given Klopp’s job with Red Bull and his connections at Anfield, the German boss could have a part to play in this possible transfer of his former midfielder, as Leipzig look to poach him this summer.

Why losing Harvey Elliott would be a blow for Liverpool

Unlike Nunez, Elliott would not be leaving the club because he has not been good enough on the pitch for Liverpool. Instead, it would be in search of more game time.

The English starlet only played 28 times in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, and only started two matches in the Premier League for Slot. He was a useful player when called upon, though, with a return of five goals and three assists from a central midfield position.

Elliott is still a young player who is developing and improving all the time, though, at the age of 22. This means that Liverpool have not seen the best of him yet, which is why cashing in on him now would be a big blow.

It would mean that Leipzig would potentially benefit from his potential by offering him the chance to play regularly in Germany, rather than the Reds getting to see him blossom by increasing his game time at Anfield.

The left-footed magician’s performances for England’s U21s at the European Championship this summer suggest that he is now primed to have a breakthrough season as a key player for whoever he is playing for next season.

As you can see in the table above, Elliott was prolific for his country from a midfield position throughout the tournament, averaging a goal every 95 minutes.

The English gem, who was described as “explosive” by Slot, has the potential to emerge as a brilliant attack-minded midfield star, who can both score and create goals, as evidenced by his 11-assist haul in the 2023/24 season for Liverpool.

This is why losing Elliott this summer would be an even bigger blow than losing Nunez to Al Hilal, because he is an impressive young talent with the potential to grow into a top player for the club, whereas the former Benfica man has already had plenty of chances to impress and failed to take them.

Therefore, Liverpool should reconsider cashing in on Elliott before the end of the summer transfer window, as he has the quality to be a great option for Slot to call upon in the 2025/26 campaign when needed.