Darwin Núñez Joins Al-Diriyah Instead of Turkey

Darwin Núñez has chosen his next destination – and it is not Turkey.

The Uruguayan striker is set to join Al-Diriyah from Al-Hilal in the current summer window, with a deal in place that ends Trabzonspor’s late push to bring him to the Turkish Super Lig.

Saudi stay over Turkish reunion

Trabzonspor had moved hard for Núñez in recent days, chasing a move that would have reunited him with former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. The prospect was obvious: two former Anfield forwards, back in the same attack, this time in claret and blue rather than red.

That vision is gone.

Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Al-Hilal and Al-Diriyah have reached a verbal agreement for the move. The deal will see Núñez join Al-Diriyah on loan until June 2027, with his salary fully covered for the entire period.

Crucially, there is no option or obligation to buy in the current agreement. This is a long loan, not a permanent goodbye.

Details still to be signed off

With the two Saudi clubs aligned, the final steps are procedural. Contracts still need signatures. A medical is being scheduled. Once those boxes are ticked, the move will be official and Núñez will pull on an Al-Diriyah shirt.

For Trabzonspor, it is a sharp blow. Supporters had already started to imagine Salah and Núñez together again, this time terrorising defences on the Black Sea coast. Instead, the Uruguayan will continue his journey in the Saudi league, staying within its growing ecosystem rather than stepping back into European competition.

The reunion will have to wait.