Darwin Núñez transfer latest as agent 'wants him to leave' Liverpool amid $92m demand

Darwin Núñez’s agent wants him to leave Liverpool this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Barcelona at the end of the season as speculation continues over his future at Anfield. Núñez has shown some signs of being unhappy with his current situation at Liverpool, having fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks.

The striker deleted all of his Liverpool-related pictures from his Instagram account following the 4-2 win over Tottenham last weekend, having been named as a substitute for the second game running. Fans have grown increasingly frustrated with his profligacy in front of goal as the Reds have dropped out of contention for the Premier League title.

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Reports in Spain have suggested Barcelona could offer him a route out of Anfield. News outlet Sport has claimed the Catalan club is interested in Núñez as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Furthermore, it’s now claimed that Núñez’s agent Jorge Mendes wants the player to leave Liverpool. Radio Fénix journalist Nicolás Saavedra said (via Sport): "Mendes wants him to leave Liverpool. He is a footballer whom he holds in very high regard and has other aspirations for him. These aspirations could pass through Barça.”

Saavedra also suggests that Liverpool will not sell Núñez for less than $92m (£74m/€85m). The Reds signed the striker in a deal that could rise to $106m (£85m/€98m) back in 2022.

Jürgen Klopp played down suggestions Núñez could leave Liverpool in the summer during his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of facing Aston Villa on Monday. "There is no speculation," Klopp said.

"That must be external speculation. It's just a situation we are in. Darwin was definitely not happy missing that chance [against Tottenham]. He was unlucky in so many situations where he is doing everything right, and the ball still doesn't go in.

"That's really tough for a young man and he's going through it right now. Everybody has to go through this. You help him if you can but it's part of a footballer's career. His problem is he is that good he is constantly in those moments — if he wasn't, then he wouldn't be [under the microscope for missing chances]."

Liverpool.com says: Despite Klopp doing his best to play things down, the speculation around Núñez will continue. His social media activity doesn’t exactly paint a picture of someone who is happy at his current club.

Obviously, Klopp will not be in place to make any sort of decision on Núñez’s future this summer. It will be interesting to see what Arne Slot does when he eventually arrives at Anfield.