Brazilian media reports, most notably those by journalist Gabriel Urvao, have revealed the true reasons behind the failed transfer of Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez , star of English club Liverpool, to Brazilian giants Flamengo during the last transfer window. Contrary to what has been circulating in some inaccurate sources, the negotiations were not with Saudi club Al-Hilal, but rather an attempt by Flamengo to explore the possibility of signing the player from his current club, Liverpool.
According to sources, Flamengo had already inquired about the possibility of acquiring Núñez on loan, a move that would have resonated throughout South American football. However, the potential deal ran into a significant financial obstacle: the player's high annual salary at Liverpool, estimated at around €16 million. This sum far exceeds the financial capabilities of even the biggest clubs in Brazil, including Flamengo, making negotiations impossible.
General context and player career
Darwin Núñez (26 years old) is considered one of the most prominent strikers in the world today. He began his career at Peñarol in Uruguay, before moving to Europe via Almería in Spain, and then to Benfica in Portugal, where his talent truly blossomed, scoring 34 goals in a single season, attracting the attention of Europe's top clubs. In the summer of 2022, Liverpool secured his signature in a record-breaking deal worth approximately €100 million, making him one of the most expensive players in the history of the prestigious English club.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
Had this deal gone through, it would have been one of the biggest transfers in the history of the Brazilian league. Domestically , the arrival of a player of Núñez's caliber would have dramatically strengthened Flamengo's attack, making them the clear favorites to win both the Brazilian league title and the Copa Libertadores. Regionally , it would have caused a sensation across South America, confirming Flamengo's ambitions to dominate continental competitions.
Internationally , the failure of this deal highlights the enormous financial gap between top European clubs, particularly in the English Premier League, and the rest of the world. The salary of a single player at a club like Liverpool can equal the entire budgets of teams in other leagues, illustrating the challenges clubs outside Europe face in attracting world-class stars at the peak of their careers.
