07 May 2024 , 21:55
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Darwin Nunez was spotted with Barcelona star Ronald Araujo as speculation continues over the Liverpool striker's future.
Nunez wiped his Instagram account clean of photos of him playing for the Anfield club, leaving only non-football photos and images of his appearances for Uruguay. And, on Tuesday, he shared a story from international team-mate Araujo showing the pair together with the caption 'Mi hermano' ('My brother').
A Barcelona move has been floated for the former Benfica striker, who has 11 league goals for Liverpool this term. Any move might depend on what happens with Robert Lewandowski, who has himself been linked with a summer move away from Catalunya.
Liverpool remain unlikely to cash in on Nunez, after signing him for what could become a club record fee with add-ons. That hasn't stopped plenty of fans from speculating, though.
"Swap deal [Vitor] Roque to Liverpool Darwin to Barcelona who says no?" one Barcelona fan asked on social media. "Nunez to Barca here we go," said another.
Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez
Others weren't so sure, though. "That's his international friend. All the players is off a few days," wrote one, indicating they felt it was nothing more than two good friends meeting up.
"After [Luis] Suarez telling him to keep his head up + this. Think it’s more than likely he’s not in a great headspace rather than looking to move to Barca tbh," another suggested.
Will Darwin Nunez leave Liverpool this summer? Have your say in the comments section
Darwin Nunez was snapped with Uruguay team-mate Ronald Araujo
Nunez's Uruguay team-mate Araujo is a first-teamer at Barcelona (AFP via Getty Images)Nunez has come in for criticism in recent weeks after losing his scoring touch. The 24-year-old has gone eight games without finding the net, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher laying into the frontman after April's defeat in the Merseyside Derby.
"I think there is a question to ask [about selling him[," Carragher said. "You want him to do well because there is so much that you like because he gives everything, he runs and causes trouble and gets the odd goal and gets an assist.
"But after two years when Liverpool this season are going to the title and those big games, you need your man to score away at Old Trafford, away at Goodison, in the European game at Atalanta. There is no time to waste, this is not October or November. This is the business end
Nunez has been in the midst of a barren spell in front of goal (Visionhaus/Getty Images)"In terms of Nunez and where the club go forward now, we have all been in squads where someone comes in and maybe you talk about the first year and maybe say, okay he’s getting up to speed with and he’s improving, and it looked like he was at the start of the season. But it has ground to a halt.
"You are looking at it now and after two years, I don’t think there is going to be a massive improvement in him. What we have seen in the last two years is what he is.
"He can cause trouble, he can be erratic with his finishing. I don’t think it is going to be enough to win you the biggest trophies so I think there is a big decision to be made on him in the summer."
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