Darwin Nunez sends another message to Liverpool as Alexander Isak transfer stalls

Darwin Nunez has made an impressive start to life in Saudi Arabia, with the former Liverpool striker finding the back of the net in Al-Hilal's final pre-season friendly on Saturday. Nunez joined Al-Hilal in a deal worth around £46.3million earlier this month.

The 26-year-old has scored in all three of his pre-season appearances for his new club, with Nunez on target in wins over Aarau, Waldhof Mannheim and Al-Fayha. Nunez struggled for consistency during his time at Anfield, managing just 40 goals in 143 games across all competitions.

And he had to settle for a bit-part role under Arne Slot last season, with 30 of his 47 appearances coming off the bench. Liverpool have already brought in a new forward this summer, spending £69m on Hugo Ekitike, and they are also hoping to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

However, they have already had a £110m offer rejected by the Magpies, who value Isak at closer to £150m. The Sweden international is pushing for the move and released a statement claiming that Newcastle have broken promises by not allowing him to leave.

"I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken," Isak said. "That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

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"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

However, Newcastle have hit back and insist that "the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired" and that they "do not foresee those conditions being met" before the transfer window slams shut.

Manager Eddie Howe, meanwhile, is hopeful the situation will be resolved "pretty quickly". Speaking ahead of Newcastle's clash with Liverpool on Monday, Howe said: "He won't be part of the squad this weekend.

"The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United. It will do that in every situation It looks like it is coming to an end, or it will come to an end pretty quickly."

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