Newcastle questioned why they did not go for Premier League striker ahead of £46m exit

Newcastle have been told Darwin Nunez is exactly the type of player they need.

Eddie Howe’s side are looking to sign a new striker during the current transfer window, however, the Magpies are set to miss out on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian international is expected to choose a move to Manchester United over the north east club.

It comes as Alexander Isak’s future remains uncertain with Howe telling the striker to train on his own amid interest from Liverpool.

The Reds saw a bid worth an initial £110million rejected for Isak last week.

Newcastle have now been urged to move for Nunez before he completes a switch to Al Hilal.

The Saudi Pro League side are keen to complete a £46million move for the Uruguayan following talks with Liverpool.

A potential transfer is currently dependant on Nunez giving the green light to the switch, though.

South American football expert Tim Vickery believes he may prefer to remain in the Premier League.

Why Newcastle should target Nunez

If so, Newcastle have been highlighted as the ideal destination as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Isak.

Discussing Nunez’s situation, Vickery told Hawksbee & Brooker: “What we don’t know yet is what he wants and this is interesting.

“Does he want to go to Saudi? We haven’t heard that one yet. And I think there’s the perfect solution here, couldn’t be better.

“Isak comes to Liverpool, Darwin Nunez and some cash go to Newcastle. The Newcastle fans, they’d like the cash and I think they’d really like Darwin as well.

“I would be very sad to see him go, see him leave the Premier League because he’s always 100 per cent.

“Something’s always going to happen. And I think he’s exactly the kind of player. Because he doesn’t know how to do 99 per cent.

“He really doesn’t. He’s full on. And I think he’s exactly the type of player that Newcastle fans would really, really respond to.

“So I’m hoping, maybe hoping against hope, that at the last minute he’ll put his foot down and say, ‘no, I don’t want this Saudi. I want to go to Newcastle. You send me one way, Isak can come the other, and everyone’s happy.’ Surely that’s win-win.”

Nunez’s Premier League record

Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica back in 2022 but has failed to recreate the goalscoring return which earned him the move.

Across 95 Premier League appearances for the Reds during the last three seasons, he has scored 25 goals.

However, the 26-year-old has impressed during pre-season ahead of the upcoming campaign.

In three friendly matches for Arne Slot’s side, Nunez has scored twice and added an assist.