Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. (REUTERS/Molly Darlington)
Napoli stunned Europe in 2024/25 by winning their fourth-ever Serie A title—and their second in three seasons.
Led by Antonio Conte, the Scudetto triumph came as a major surprise, especially considering the makeup of the squad: a group largely composed of Premier League cast-offs revitalized by the Italian tactician.
There was Billy Gilmour, once cast aside by Chelsea and picked up from Brighton last summer. There was Romelu Lukaku, the former Chelsea and Manchester United striker whose goals helped power the title charge. Former Fulham midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa played a crucial role. And perhaps most remarkably, there was Scott McTominay.
Discarded by Manchester United, McTominay emerged as Napoli’s unlikely midfield engine. His dynamic, box-to-box performances were central to the team’s success and earned him the Serie A Player of the Season award in his debut campaign in Italy.
Now, following that same formula, it appears Napoli have set their sights on another Premier League outcast.
Napoli Submit Bid for Darwin Núñez
According to a new report from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli have submitted a £42 million bid for Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez.
The report claims Napoli are offering Núñez a net annual salary of £5.2 million to make the switch to Naples.
However, Di Marzio notes that Napoli are also interested in Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca, who would cost nearly half as much. As such, the final decision is said to rest with club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Núñez arrived at Liverpool in a blockbuster £85 million transfer from Benfica in 2022. Despite moments of brilliance, the Uruguayan has struggled for consistency and failed to live up to his price tag.
In 143 appearances for the Reds, he has scored 40 goals, with just seven goals across all competitions in the 2024/25 season. New manager Arne Slot is reportedly unconvinced that Núñez fits into his long-term plans.
Despite his inconsistencies, Núñez still has admirers. Pundit Ally McCoist once described him as “unbelievable,” and there’s no question the talent is there—if only it can be unlocked.
That’s exactly what Conte and Napoli specialize in. After reviving the careers of McTominay, Lukaku, and Gilmour, Núñez could be next in line for redemption in Naples.
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