Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez is reportedly on the verge of a move to Barcelona, as negotiations between the Catalan club and Saudi club Al Hilal have brought his name into the spotlight. According to Mundo Deportivo, the discussions initially centered around the outright purchase of defender João Cancelo.
The situation regarding Núñez has shifted rapidly over the past year. Last summer, Al Hilal invested €53 million to acquire the forward, anticipating he would emerge as a key attacking player in Simone Inzaghi’s system. Although Núñez had a promising start, scoring in both the local Pro League and the AFC Champions League, he ultimately could not meet the high expectations set by the club.
The turning point for Núñez occurred in February 2026 when Al Hilal made a significant move by signing Karim Benzema. Due to the Saudi league’s strict foreign player regulations, Núñez found himself deregistered from the Pro League for the second half of the season, though he remained eligible for international competitions. This exclusion prompted him to reject a bench role and decide to return to Europe.
In a development that facilitates his move, Núñez and Al Hilal have reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract early. This allows the striker to change clubs as a free agent.