Chelsea chase €85m striker as Alonso's first signing

8 Jun 2026 12:32 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea reportedly remain interested in signing Al-Hilal striker Darwin Nunez during the upcoming summer transfer window as they look to bolster the attacking options at Xabi Alonso’s disposal.

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The Blues spent a whopping €339.2 million on new signings last year, but the likes of Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens all struggled during their debut campaigns at Stamford Bridge and the club are therefore set to dip back into the market ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Current ETV

Darwin Núñez

F (C), AM (L)

Al-Hilal

Darwin Núñez

F (C), AM (L)

Al-Hilal

ETV Range

€24M - €29.3M

Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers and Bournemouth attacker Eli Junior Kroupi have both been earmarked as top targets by the Chelsea hierarchy, although they will face significant competition for the duo, and their lack of European football could prove pivotal.

As a result, Chelsea have been forced to widen their search and they are among the clubs interested in signing Nunez, who hasn’t played for Al-Hilal since February after being deregistered from their Saudi Pro League squad after the winter transfer window.

That is according to a report from Mundo Deportivo, who claim that Barcelona, Chelsea and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on the Uruguay international, while Liverpool are also eyeing a possible move to bring him back to Anfield.

The 26-year-old, who cost €85m when he joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022, has only scored nine goals in 24 games since his move to Al-Hilal, but it’s understood that he will be sold on a permanent deal during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Nunez is reportedly keen to rejoin Liverpool this summer, despite the fact that Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike are both at the club, while the appointment of Alonso as Chelsea’s new manager could aid their pursuit of his signature, as per Mundo Deportivo.

© IMAGO - Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez to Chelsea?

Chelsea are understood to be open to offers for the aforementioned Delap this summer, after he scored just one Premier League goal in 2025-26, but they have already signed his replacement in the form of Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson will be given the chance to impress Alonso in pre-season after the conclusion of his loan spell at Bayern Munich, and a deal for Nunez would therefore make very little sense for Chelsea, especially considering his form at Liverpool.

The Uruguay star caused havoc during a three-year stint at Anfield, however he only netted five Premier League goals in 30 games in his final campaign at the club and there is little evidence to suggest he would be a better fit for Chelsea than Jackson, for example.

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