Nunez Excluded from Al-Hilal Squad, Draws PL Interest

Darwin Nunez, the 26-year-old Uruguayan striker who joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool last summer, faces an uncertain future in Saudi Arabia after being excluded from the club's squad for the remainder of the Saudi Pro League season. The development, triggered by Al-Hilal's January signing of Karim Benzema, has sparked interest from Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, as the forward considers a potential return to England this summer.

Nunez moved to Al-Hilal in August for a reported 46 million pounds, signing a contract that runs until 2028. He contributed nine goals and five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions this season, establishing himself as one of the league's top performers. However, Saudi clubs are limited to a quota of foreign players, and Benzema's arrival from Al-Ittihad filled the final spot. As a result, Nunez was deregistered, barring him from league and domestic cup matches. He remains eligible only for the Asian Champions League, a situation that has left him without competitive minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where Uruguay faces a group including Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.