Latest news with #ex-Benfica
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool boss Arne Slot provides telling update on Darwin Nunez after pre-season absence
Darwin Nunez was not in Liverpool's squad as they fell to defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong and Arne Slot has revealed that he did not want to risk the Reds' striker Arne Slot has revealed that he did not want to risk Darwin Nunez in Liverpool's clash against AC Milan. The striker was left out of the Reds' friendly clash in Hong Kong, and continues to recover from an injury. The Uruguay international, who has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, could only watch on from the sidelines on Saturday, with his absence from the squad leaving some room for speculation. The ex-Benfica star was deemed unavailable alongside Luis Diaz, who has been linked with a possible move to Bayern Munich. But whereas Slot conceded Diaz's lack of involvment came as a result of transfer speculation, the Dutchman was keen to highlight how Darwin had already impressed this summer. Liverpool's boss focused on ensuring Darwin was ready to enter the season match-fit rather than the prospect of any transfer. The striker's situation was likened to that of Wataru Endo. Slot expects both players to be available to feature against Yokahoma FM in Japan on Wednesday. 'In Darwin's situation, he has trained really well and played a few good games for us already this pre-season," said Slot. "He was injured so we didn't want to take the risk. 'It was also the same with Wata (Endo) — trained with us all week but we didn't want to take a risk with him either. It is part of pre-season, the boys need to get towards match fitness and that is a thin balance, a thin line sometimes. "In this situation we thought it was smarter for Darwin and Wata to sit it out today but I assume they will be with us when we are in Japan for the next game.' The situation is somewhat different for Diaz , who Liverpool have decided not to play at this moment in time. "In Lucho's situation it was [linked to his future], yeah," Slot admitted. "There are a lot of rumours around it lately and I cannot go into that. But he is training really well with us and we have decided, for now, not to play him yet. Slot added: "Yes [I've spoken to Diaz] but I am used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. Like I said, Lucho is training really well but we've decided that he is best not playing at the moment in the games and I cannot comment much more than that. Does he want to leave? I am not the person to ask."
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Darwin Nunez transfer gets green light from manager as Liverpool receive bid
Liverpool are expected to part ways with Darwin Nunez this summer with a number of clubs interested in signing the forward but the Reds may need to accept a loss Darwin Nunez is drawing keen interest and Liverpool have received a £52million bid from AC Milan, it's claimed. But the Reds have also received an approach from the Saudi Pro League for the forward who has scored 25 goals and recorded 16 assists in 95 Premier League appearances. Al Hilal are ready to turn towards the Uruguay international if their move to land Victor Osimhen fails this summer. New boss Simeone Inzaghi is said to have pushed his club to move for the ex-Benfica star, should a move for the Nigerian fail per reports in Riyadh. The Saudi Pro League side, who have already signed Theo Hernandez from Milan this summer, renewed their negotiations with Osimhen after seeing their first proposal rejected. Al Hilal managed to come to preliminary terms with Napoli before the Club World Cup. Osimhen rejected a deal worth €40m (£34.8m) annually on that occasion however. And that has left a move for Darwin, who looks set to depart Anfield, on the table. The Reds are said to be willing to accept a loss on their striker to allow him to leave for £70m - after signing him for £85m in 2022. READ MORE: Arne Slot could save Liverpool millions with 'top player' who left John Terry distraught It could be Italian side Napoli who yet offer the stiffest competition to Al Hilal for Darwin's signature. Antonio Conte's team have been persistently linked with the South American star. But reports in Saudi state that it's the Rossoneri who have made the latest offer to Liverpool. The forward, 26, scored in Liverpool's return to pre-season action against Preston. Darwin capitalised on an error from the opposition backline before firing past the goalkeeper as Arne Slot's team recorded a 3-1 win. Liverpool have been linked with a number of potential replacement's for the striker. The latest has seen the suggestion that discussions are underway over a possible transfer for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Frenchman's representatives have reportedly met with Liverpool chiefs in Paris. Mateta scored 14 goals for the Eagleas last season as the club found FA Cup success last season, Mateta has two years left on his contract and has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United. Amid speculation surrounding the Red Devils a fee in the region oof £40m to £50m was touted. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
James Forrest soaking up Celtic history lesson he doesn't need as Lisbon lore makes no 17 a bit more special
The Hoops are training at the Cidade do Futebol which is just a free-kick away from the iconic Estadio Nacional The Portuguese sun might be hiding behind the rain clouds. But James Forrest is soaking up every minute of Celtic's return to Lisbon. The Hoops are in an unusually wet and drizzly Portugal for the latest leg of their pre-season tour - a far cry from the roasting hot conditions back in Costa del Glasgow right now. Based at Cidade do Futebol, Brendan Rodgers has been putting the champions through their paces at the state-of-the-art training complex used by the Portugal national team. And just over their shoulder sits the iconic Estadio Nacional, the colosseum where Billy McNeill climbed the steps in 1967 to become the first British man to lift the European Cup. It was a moment that changed the course of Celtic history forever. As the club's most decorated player, Forrest doesn't need a history lesson. But the evergreen winger revealed Rodgers made sure the current squad fully understood what the holy ground means. He said: 'The gaffer brought everyone together on our first day here and was talking about it. He was telling all the new lads about it. 'It's a great set-up we have here and it's great to get away from Glasgow for our pre-season training. 'I'm not sure if our schedule will allow us to actually visit the stadium given we have double sessions and games. 'But it's obviously a really iconic place. 'It's unbelievable what happened here as part of the history of the club. "The manager talked about that and I think the new players then looked into it and took note of it. 'You definitely love hearing the stories about it. It never gets old.' Incredibly, this marks Forrest's SEVENTEENTH pre-season at Celtic. The one-club man has seen hundreds of players come and go since bursting onto the scene in 2010. And with new signings Ben Nygren, Hayato Inamura and Callum Osmand joining the ranks, Forrest knows just how important these camps are for helping the fresh faces settle in. He said: 'It's been a good start to pre-season. 'We were obviously in Ireland for a couple of days and a lot of boys got minutes under their belt. 'We've now come out to Portugal where the facilities are really good. 'We can do double sessions with beds at the training ground which allows us to rest in the afternoon. 'You just need to enjoy it and embrace it. 'I've obviously done so many pre-seasons with the club down the years and you get to see good parts of the world. 'The training is hard but it's good for the new signings to get together with the squad. "It's an important part of the season before we go back for the competitive games." The trip also brought a familiar face back into the fold as injured winger Jota popped in to see his teammates. Born and bred in Lisbon, the ex-Benfica star has been back in his hometown doing his rehab as he works his way back from a horror ACL injury. Forrest added: 'All the boys and all the staff thought it was great to see him. He's looking well. 'It was obviously a bad injury he got but he was in good spirits and it was probably good for him to see the lads. 'Physically, you know he'll get to where he needs to get to. 'But it's always the mental side with long-term injuries. You can be alright for a couple of weeks, then hit a lull for a couple of days. 'But the way he speaks, and the way he is as a person, gives me no doubt that he'll come back flying as much as he was before he got injured.'
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Two Liverpool deals confirmed as Alexander Isak requirement revealed
Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market and have seen two deals confirmed in the last 24 hours as they look to strengthen Arne Slot's squad to retain the Premier League title Liverpool have added another player to their ranks with Milos Kerkez finally confirmed as Arne Slot's newest star. The full-back completed a £40million deal to join the club from Bournemouth. Following Florian Wirtz through the door, Kerkez signed a five-year deal at Anfield. The transfer takes the Reds' spending up to £170m since the end of the season. And the club remain hard at work shaping Slot's squad. The club are persistently linked to signing a new forward as Darwin Nunez's future appears to lie away from the club. The Uruguay striker is drawing interest from Italy with Liverpool happy to part ways after the ex-Benfica star failed to break into his head coach's starting XI plans. And Nunez may not be alone in leaving the club with uncertainty around the likes of Federico Chiesa, Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott. Kerkez explains Reds move Speaking after his move was completed, Milos Kerkez revealed Liverpool was the only club he wanted to join and detailed the prominent role Richard Hughes played, in addition to Arne Slot, in the move. "As everyone knows, [Richard Hughes] brought me to Bournemouth and was [a] big part why I came to Bournemouth," he said. "Obviously also [important] is the gaffer – I also had talks with him. I really knew when I talked to him and Richard that this is it for me, so that was my decision. 'We [he and Slot] talked about the tactics and the plan and where he sees where I can improve and where I can help the team. Obviously when [the] coach comes also and talks to you, it's a big thing, it's a big sign of respect. 'For me, there were no second doubts then that I want to go somewhere else. It was always Liverpool.' Loan deal confirmed Liverpool goalkeeper Harvey Davies has joined Crawley Town on a season-long loan. The shotstopper, 21, spent time on loan at Crewe Alexander in 2023/24 but has not yet made a senior appearance for the Reds. Davies, who has been involved in 18 matchday sqauds, has been with the club since the under-9 level and signed a new deal before he joined up with the League Two side. I am really happy to be here," Davies said, "I had some great conversations with people at the club and they made me feel wanted and welcomed me in. "I had a really good chat with the manager who presented really well to me and said that he wanted me, so it made the decision very easy." Isak conversation start A £150m offer may be required to even get Newcastle United to engage in a conversation over Alexander Isak per the Athletic. Liverpool are said to hold an interest in the striker who has proven himself vital to the Magpies in recent seasons. The Sweden international still has three years on his contract, though a new deal is expected to be on the horizon if Newcastle can prove persuasive. Isak's future would have been more uncertain if not for the club securing their place in the Champions League and earning silverware in the Carabao Cup. The reports suggests Liverpool may attempt to sway player and club into a deal, but expressed caution over the possibility of success. Isak is a the centre of Newcastle's project under PIF's ownership.
Metro
25-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Hamann says Liverpool star could be 'biggest transfer mistake in club's history
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes Darwin Nunez could be the 'biggest transfer mistake' the club have made in their entire history. Nunez joined Liverpool for a club-record fee of £85million back in 2022, with the ex-Benfica striker putting pen to paper on a six-year contract at Anfield. But in between occasional flashes of brilliance, Nunez has badly struggled to live up to that price tag and managed a total of just five goals across the Reds' Premier League title-winning campaign this term. As a result, Nunez is deemed surplus to requirements on Merseyside – and the Uruguay international is expected to leave when the summer transfer window opens for business. Reports emanating out of Spain last week claimed Nunez had held talks with Atletico Madrid and the a verbal agreed had been reached over a proposed switch to the Spanish capital. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Atleti are yet to negotiate a fee for Nunez, though, and the La Liga giants may have to fend off interest from the Saudi Pro League to capture the 25-year-old. 'Is Darwin Nunez the biggest transfer mistake in Liverpool's history? Maybe, it's just part of the game,' Hamann told Betting Lounge. 'When you bring players in, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. 'People probably thought, myself included, if you bring somebody in for £85million, it guarantees you goals, but looking back it wasn't money well spent. 'Now you need to see how much you recoup. Maybe one of the Saudi clubs comes and you get your money back.' 'The other thing is, we shouldn't forget that he's been part of a title winning side. He played his part as much as everybody else.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Hamann says it is a 'very good sign' that Liverpool have still managed to be successful despite spending top dollar on an signing that has not worked. 'He was part of the team. He contributed maybe not as much as others, but sometimes it's easier to swallow when you bring a player in like him, when the team is still successful regardless,' he added. 'I think it's a very good sign for the state Liverpool is in at the moment to bring in a forward in for a lot of money and he doesn't score many goals, but you're still winning.' Liverpool have reportedly won the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star Florian Wirtz this summer. But the Reds are also believed to be in talks over a possible bid for Christopher Nkunku, despite the torrid time the Frenchman has endured at Chelsea. 'You've got to feel for him because picked up a bad injury, he did his ligament when he came to Chelsea,' Hamann said of Nkunku. 'Obviously he's a brilliant player. That's why he's been at the top level for some time. Injury can obviously play a part because he was just full of confidence before that. 'I think he tried things which he never really thought they're not going to come off and confidence is a big thing. 'With Nkunku, if the knee doesn't bother him, and obviously you've got to do a medical when you come to a club, I think he's a player who can really go places if he goes somewhere else.' More Trending According to Hamann, Nkunku is more than capable of scoring 25 goals a season if he finds a team that suits his strengths. 'If he went to a club where he was the main man then he could score 25 goals a season. I think he could go places because he's a fantastic player,' the 2005 Champions League winner added. 'From what I've seen in the Bundesliga the last few seasons, I've rarely seen a player that excited me more than him. It's a shame it hasn't worked out, as I said. The injury didn't help. 'It'll be interesting to see what's going to happen because I think he's a fantastic player if you handle him the right way.' Is Nunez Liverpool's worst ever signing? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Jack Grealish next club odds after getting axed from Man City squad MORE: Julian Nagelsmann sends message to Florian Wirtz over Liverpool transfer MORE: Man Utd stars 'beg' teammate to stay and have one big fear if he leaves
